WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.560 So let's read together from Isaiah 53. 00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:13.900 This week we're going to concentrate on verses 7 to 9, but let's again read the whole chapter. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:23.260 Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 00:00:24.060 --> 00:00:29.320 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.799 He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:41.579 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain. 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:47.280 Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:55.900 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him and afflicted. 00:00:55.899 --> 00:01:01.100 But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:06.859 The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:16.259 We all, like sheep, have gone astray. Each of us has turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:20.200 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:26.960 He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 00:01:27.800 --> 00:01:32.659 By oppression and judgment he was taken away, yet who of his generation protested? 00:01:33.460 --> 00:01:38.320 For he was cut off from the land of the living. For the transgression of my people he was punished. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:46.459 He was signed a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 00:01:47.379 --> 00:01:50.419 Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer. 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:56.879 And though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, 00:01:57.500 --> 00:01:59.959 and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:04.759 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied. 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:11.060 By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:18.180 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:24.300 because he poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors. 00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:31.740 For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:38.080 So today we're thinking about the death of the servant. 00:02:38.420 --> 00:02:42.060 So Isaiah 53 verses 7 to 9. 00:02:43.659 --> 00:02:48.640 One of the roles that I have in our presbytery, the Edinburgh and Perth presbytery, 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:54.439 is that I get to help with candidate interviews, those who are considering ministry. 00:02:54.540 --> 00:02:59.660 And one of the questions that we always ask is about the nature of ministry. 00:02:59.659 --> 00:03:02.979 You know, ministry involves leadership and service. 00:03:03.159 --> 00:03:05.439 We'll ask, you know, how do you assess your strengths and weaknesses? 00:03:05.659 --> 00:03:09.219 And I love it, and this happens more and more, when our candidates answer, 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:13.120 do you know, you can't separate love, leadership and service. 00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:14.960 They belong together. 00:03:15.859 --> 00:03:18.419 Jesus taught about servant leadership. 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:21.259 It's the pattern of Jesus. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:28.899 Paul Miller, a Bible teacher, has written a book called The J Curve. 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:35.939 And his point is that in the ministry of Jesus, what we see is a descent 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:44.099 from his incarnation then down to his suffering and his death 00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:49.979 before that J curve rises upwards to the resurrection. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:54.139 And then Jesus ascended again into the glory of heaven, 00:03:54.240 --> 00:03:58.099 where he is exalted as King of kings and Lord of lords. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:03.379 And of course, that's a pattern that we see to and hear in the teaching of Jesus. 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:10.299 If you want to be great in God's kingdom, you must be the servant of all, Jesus said. 00:04:10.300 --> 00:04:18.120 And here in Isaiah 53, Isaiah led by the Spirit is anticipating this J curve. 00:04:19.020 --> 00:04:22.379 And particularly here, we find ourselves reaching the lowest point, 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:25.660 the suffering and death of Jesus. 00:04:25.819 --> 00:04:30.199 Next week, Easter Sunday, we'll be on the upward rise with the resurrection. 00:04:30.780 --> 00:04:32.420 But here we're focusing on the cross. 00:04:32.540 --> 00:04:38.560 And one question for us to think about, what is my response to the cross of Christ? 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:41.660 First of all, do I have saving faith? 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:44.740 Am I trusting and resting in Jesus for salvation? 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:50.220 And is this J curve pattern the pattern for my life? 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:52.420 And we'll think about what we mean by that. 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:58.279 The big idea for today is that because Jesus submitted voluntarily, 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:03.079 submitting willingly to suffering, death and burial on behalf of sinners, 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:08.399 we should both love him and pattern our lives on him. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:13.959 So let's think in verse 7 about voluntary submission. 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:17.699 What's the picture that we have in here? 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:22.280 He was led like a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before its shearers is silent. 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:23.420 So he did not open his mouth. 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:28.480 A lamb being led to the butchers, a sheep being led to be sheared, 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:31.879 will go quietly and willingly. 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:33.120 Why? 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:38.540 Because that animal has no idea what's coming next. 00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:46.759 The point of comparison for Isaiah is that Jesus submits willingly to the Father's plan. 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:48.899 But there's a point of contrast. 00:05:49.100 --> 00:05:54.379 Unlike those animals, Jesus knows exactly what was coming last week in church. 00:05:54.379 --> 00:06:01.860 We were thinking about the agony of Gethsemane as Jesus anticipates drinking the cup of God's wrath. 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:05.620 And he says, if you are willing, let this cup be taken from me. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:11.500 If there's any other way to save sinners without me bearing the sin of the world and being cut off, 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:13.699 then let's do that. 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:16.979 But Jesus submitted, not my will, but yours be done. 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:25.339 The voluntary submission of Jesus is seen in that he will silently face what's described in verse 7 as oppression. 00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:33.300 We come across that kind of language in the way that Pharaoh and the Egyptians treated Israel when they made them slaves. 00:06:34.339 --> 00:06:37.139 And he is afflicted. 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:40.539 The idea is that he kept submitting to affliction. 00:06:41.219 --> 00:06:49.519 His reflex action is to submit to suffering, knowing it was the will of God. 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:58.719 And Isaiah, led by the Spirit, helps us to think about the question, why is Jesus going to do this? 00:06:59.219 --> 00:07:01.919 So looking ahead 700 years, why is the servant going to do this? 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:03.979 And we can go back to verse 6. 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:12.060 And again, to use the imagery of sheep, he's going to do it because we, like sheep, have gone astray and we've turned to our own way. 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:20.379 He is going to have that sin and punishment laid on him for rebellious, wandering sheep like us. 00:07:21.340 --> 00:07:25.680 Now, how do we see this prophecy fulfilled in the life of Jesus? 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:28.879 We can go, for example, to Matthew 26 and 27. 00:07:30.580 --> 00:07:33.700 Matthew 26, verse 62. 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:39.520 And then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, are you not going to answer? 00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:43.400 What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:46.500 But Jesus remains silent. 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:53.080 And then, as Jesus is taken before the Roman governor, Pilate, chapter 27, verse 12. 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:58.460 When Jesus was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:03.000 Then Pilate asked him, don't you hear the testimony they're bringing against you? 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:10.959 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge, to the great amazement of the governor. 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:15.579 So after the agony of Gethsemane, Jesus will not fight. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:17.300 He will not resist. 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:19.939 His disciples would have resisted for him. 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:22.060 And remember, Jesus said that he could have. 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:26.439 He could have called in legions of angels to protect him from suffering and death. 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:32.139 But he says he will submit willingly to fulfill scripture. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:35.399 He understands Mark chapter 10, verse 45. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:43.240 Jesus didn't come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:48.200 The price for our freedom is the death of Jesus. 00:08:48.200 --> 00:08:55.800 So in that J curve, at that low point, Jesus willingly has become one of us. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:59.460 And he goes to that lowest point of suffering and death. 00:08:59.540 --> 00:09:01.240 And remember, Jesus is the son of God. 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:03.500 He deserves all worship and glory and honour. 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:07.720 But he volunteers to take sin and its punishment. 00:09:09.780 --> 00:09:11.100 What is my response? 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:14.200 What is your response to the cross of Jesus Christ? 00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:22.940 I've been reading a book by Jonathan Edwards called Charity or Love and Its Fruits, all about exploring 1 Corinthians 13. 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:26.940 And he has a wonderful phrase in that book where he says, 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:31.560 We should be humbled by the loveliness of God. 00:09:32.800 --> 00:09:33.840 It's a lovely phrase, isn't it? 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:43.560 To see God as infinitely above us as he is, yet to see Jesus becoming the suffering servant to save us, 00:09:44.580 --> 00:09:49.879 should humble us and help us to see the loveliness of our God and Saviour. 00:09:50.420 --> 00:10:00.900 With the response then, the proper response to that being faith, trust, receiving God's grace as it's offered to us in Jesus. 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:05.340 That humble, grateful worship would be our response. 00:10:05.459 --> 00:10:09.699 And then it would be the pattern for our lives. 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:14.519 Again, going back to those interviews that I have to do with Presbyterian. 00:10:14.579 --> 00:10:15.439 I get to do rather. 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:16.459 I definitely get to do. 00:10:17.459 --> 00:10:22.899 One candidate was talking about the ministry apprenticeship that he had done previously. 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:24.679 And he had two weekly tasks. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:28.779 As someone training for ministry, task one, clean the toilets every week. 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:35.000 Task two, clean the pigeon poop off the church steps every week. 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:44.220 Principle, since Jesus has gone so low to become one of us, to die for us, to rescue and save us, 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:49.279 nothing should be too low for his servants, for his people. 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:54.740 Makes us ask the question, am I willing to serve for the sake of Jesus? 00:10:54.740 --> 00:11:03.759 Am I willing to bear injustice and opposition in a loving way as part of my service to Jesus who has loved me and served me? 00:11:06.820 --> 00:11:09.779 So we see voluntary submission from Jesus. 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:17.700 And in verse 8, we discover that voluntary submission leads him towards injustice and death in verse 8. 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:25.160 Now, as a society, one thing that we clearly value as a people is the idea of justice. 00:11:26.400 --> 00:11:27.860 And that shouldn't come as a surprise. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:31.340 The Bible presents a God who is just and we are made in his image. 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:34.740 Therefore, justice is something that we are concerned for. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:37.660 Now, we've seen this recently. 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:41.240 We've seen it in the Black Lives Matter movement. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:49.259 We've seen it in the vigils that have sprung up because of what happened to Sarah Everard 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:52.379 and in response to violence against women more generally. 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:55.460 Maybe you've been in the meadows and you've seen Sarah's tree. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:12:04.460 Or we can think about the protests going on in Myanmar as the army are oppressing the people and oppressing democracy. 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:09.600 And again, remember that we stand with that. 00:12:09.680 --> 00:12:13.040 The Bible says all people are created in the image of God. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:15.440 Therefore, all people have value. 00:12:16.400 --> 00:12:20.500 So absolutely, as Christians, we can say black lives matter to Jesus. 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:22.840 Therefore, black lives matter to us. 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:23.860 Or they certainly should. 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:28.040 Women and their rights matter to Jesus. 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:34.799 Therefore, women's rights should matter to us as they are defined biblically. 00:12:35.559 --> 00:12:44.360 But each of these movements that we see connected with justice has led to forms of protest movement, haven't they? 00:12:45.719 --> 00:12:50.639 And I introduce that because when we read of Jesus' suffering and death, 00:12:51.579 --> 00:12:55.399 a sense of injustice should rise up in us. 00:12:55.399 --> 00:13:00.819 Isaiah anticipates Jesus would be sentenced to die. 00:13:00.959 --> 00:13:07.079 Jesus, who had done nothing deserving of death, nevertheless is unjustly tried and executed. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:11.159 And so there is an injustice that goes on. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:15.019 Verse 8 then says, 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:17.159 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:23.319 That word oppression, sometimes translated as from arrest and judgment. 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:26.960 He was taken away to be executed having faced trial. 00:13:27.140 --> 00:13:29.420 That's what Isaiah anticipates. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:34.180 But we know that that would be an unjust verdict. 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:37.600 False witnesses are encouraged to speak against Jesus. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:41.000 A false verdict of blasphemy is reached. 00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:42.860 After all, Jesus is God. 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:48.260 Therefore, he is entitled to claim the position and the titles of God. 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:51.919 And Pilate, the Roman governor, condemned Jesus despite saying, 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:53.480 I see nothing wrong in this man. 00:13:54.700 --> 00:14:01.120 And yet, verse 8, yet, who of his generation protested? 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:06.519 There was no protest movement among his generation, among his contemporaries. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:08.200 The vast majority approved. 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:12.960 The vast majority in Jerusalem on that day cried, crucify him. 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:18.540 And that's the message that the apostles in the book of Acts pick up. 00:14:19.060 --> 00:14:20.220 When they say to the crowds, 00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:24.720 You, with the help of wicked men, put Jesus to death. 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.860 You disowned the holy and righteous one. 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:29.139 You killed the author of life. 00:14:30.540 --> 00:14:32.200 Of course, Peter and the apostles will also say, 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:35.920 But God, God had his plan behind and beyond and above that. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:38.660 But they were responsible for that injustice. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:41.120 Isaiah continues, 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:43.919 This servant was cut off from the land of the living. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:44.799 He was killed. 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:48.100 What's the ultimate cause for them? 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.500 In God's words, 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.519 For the transgression of my people, 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.360 He was punished. 00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:58.779 Is it the transgression, the wrongdoing, 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:00.879 The rebellion, the disobedience of the servant 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.159 That leads to his death? 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:02.620 No. 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:06.339 It's the transgression of my people. 00:15:07.160 --> 00:15:08.560 Here is a reminder that Jesus, 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:10.200 The servant of the Lord, 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:13.000 Dies as a substitute in the place of God's people. 00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:15.920 And he is punished. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.399 Punished by God. 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.639 But is that for his sin? 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.740 And again, the answer is no. 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.840 He is sinlessly perfect. 00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:23.340 Rather, Jesus is loaded up with the sin 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:26.460 And the shame and the guilt of those he came to save. 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:31.560 That's why in Acts chapter 8, 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:34.080 When the Ethiopian is reading 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:36.120 This passage, 00:15:37.420 --> 00:15:38.460 Philip begins, 00:15:38.780 --> 00:15:40.620 And he begins to explain 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:43.740 The good news about Jesus. 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:46.060 There is good news in Jesus 00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:47.840 Willingly submitting to 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:49.920 This death. 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:51.379 Because in this death, 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.740 There is life for all 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:54.660 Who will trust in him. 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:58.340 How is it good news? 00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:58.879 On the one hand, 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:00.720 We see it's the most awful injustice. 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:02.980 Here is the one perfect man. 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:07.600 And yet he is condemned as a criminal. 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.899 But in God's plan, 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:12.019 Jesus is handed over so that 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:14.399 He might become our suffering saviour. 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:18.079 When we look at the cross, 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:20.579 It should remind us, 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.679 Here is the verdict 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:23.299 That you and I, 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:24.299 By nature, 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.620 And because of our actions, 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:26.579 Deserve. 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:29.179 We are not sinless and perfect. 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.840 And a holy God, 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.779 It is right to 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:34.059 Condemn. 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.559 We should be 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:36.819 Cut off 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:38.899 From God and his goodness, 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.620 From his mercy, 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.819 For all eternity. 00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:46.400 That's what hell is, 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.420 The place of 00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.720 Punishment 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:51.000 For those who refuse 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:53.040 To trust in God's salvation. 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:55.200 But here is the good news, 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:57.740 The good news of that J curve. 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.940 Jesus is cut off, 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:01.379 Both in death 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:03.300 And as he feels abandoned 00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:04.539 By his father, 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:06.660 So that we might never 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:08.279 Experience that. 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:11.559 In Jesus being cut off, 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:13.599 God's justice is satisfied. 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.399 God in Jesus 00:17:15.399 --> 00:17:16.740 Takes the penalty, 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:17.399 The punishment, 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.960 The place of 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.899 Sinners. 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:21.879 Jesus faces his 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:23.660 Personal hell. 00:17:24.899 --> 00:17:26.099 So that we 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.920 Never have to 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:29.779 If we would trust in him. 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:32.579 So again, 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.480 What is my response? 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.480 What is your response 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:36.519 To Jesus facing 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.559 Injustice, 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.660 Death, 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:40.700 And the justice of God 00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:43.240 For sinners like us? 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.759 As we recognise that the cross 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:48.559 Is just a glimpse 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.099 Into the 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:50.700 Horror of 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.960 The punishment 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:53.619 That sin deserves, 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:54.980 We have a choice. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.539 Either 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:58.400 We can say no to Jesus 00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.779 And we can face that punishment 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.480 Ourselves 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.539 When we stand before 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:03.200 God on the judgment day 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:04.319 As we all will. 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:05.920 Or 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:07.960 We can trust in Jesus 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:10.180 We can turn from our sin 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.640 Knowing that 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.980 In love and in grace 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.860 He takes 00:18:13.860 --> 00:18:14.740 Our sin 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.460 And he takes 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.380 Our place. 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:18.480 He is abandoned 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.680 So we can be welcomed. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.460 And when we appreciate that 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.000 Let this 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.500 Create a J-shaped 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.220 Pattern 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.119 To your life 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:26.440 And mine 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.160 Where we're willing 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:27.740 To face 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:30.119 Our many deaths 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:30.920 Where we are willing 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:31.640 As Jesus says 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:33.359 To deny ourselves 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:35.839 To give up 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:36.720 Personal pride 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.400 And honour 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.440 To sacrifice 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.740 For the sake of others 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.539 To show them 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.480 The love of God 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:42.619 That God has shown 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:43.660 To us in Jesus 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:49.339 And now having seen 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:49.960 Jesus 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:51.259 Willingly submitting 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:51.779 To 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:54.000 Injustice and death 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.380 I want us to see 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:57.500 God's response 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:59.400 The beginning of God's response 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.039 In verse 9 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:01.619 Where Jesus is honoured 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.180 In burial 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:04.339 Now it's a long established 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.220 Principle 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:06.519 And it was certainly 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.279 Held by the Romans 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:07.859 And the Jews 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.779 In the first century 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:10.720 That criminals 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:12.339 And enemies 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:14.200 Were typically not 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.299 Honoured in death 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:17.019 They'd be thrown in 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.960 A common 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.619 Criminal's grave 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.500 Something similar 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.240 But what does Isaiah 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.000 Anticipate 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.960 Isaiah anticipates 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.880 That Jesus would 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:27.319 Die a criminal's death 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:28.380 Verse 9 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.019 He was assigned 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.940 A grave with the wicked 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.880 But 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.900 He would be honoured 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.539 At his burial 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.980 He was assigned 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.700 A grave with the wicked 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.799 And with the rich 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.900 In his death 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:41.640 Who's involved 00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.759 In the death 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.579 And burial of Jesus 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.799 The wicked are involved 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:46.019 Those who conspire 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.460 To kill 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.440 The innocent servant 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.079 Of the Lord 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.379 Though he had 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:49.919 Verse 9 00:19:49.919 --> 00:19:51.480 Done no violence 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.299 There was nothing 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.379 In his actions 00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.799 That was sinful 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:56.119 That merited punishment 00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:57.980 Nor was any deceit 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.639 In his mouth 00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:59.159 There were no 00:19:59.159 --> 00:20:00.460 Words of his 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:00.879 That would 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:02.079 Lead him to be 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.079 Described as guilty 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:04.299 As charged 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.759 No they conspired 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.679 To kill the innocent 00:20:06.679 --> 00:20:08.099 Perfect servant 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:09.119 The son of God 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:10.759 So the wicked 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.339 Were involved 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:11.899 In his death 00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:12.259 And burial 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.819 But so 00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:13.559 Were 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:15.299 The wealthy 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:18.119 And this sounds 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:18.700 So unusual 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.079 And it's 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.879 One of those 00:20:19.879 --> 00:20:20.200 Things that 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:21.339 Only makes sense 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:23.259 Like at home 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:24.339 Most of Isaiah 50 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.339 They only make sense 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.919 Once it was fulfilled 00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:28.039 How is it fulfilled 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.500 In the life of Jesus 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.700 Well when it's 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.279 Discovered that 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.480 Jesus has died 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.059 Joseph 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.480 A secret follower 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.359 Who is wealthy 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:36.259 Comes and asks 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.119 For Jesus' body 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:38.319 And honours it 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:40.139 And wraps it 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:41.359 And places it 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.859 In his own tomb 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:45.419 Buried with honour 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:47.339 Unexpected honour 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.419 At burial 00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:50.559 And this is the first part 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:52.479 Of the upward rise 00:20:52.479 --> 00:20:53.919 Of the J-curve 00:20:53.919 --> 00:20:55.240 And this is a sign 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.779 Of the father's approval 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.519 The logic is 00:20:58.519 --> 00:21:01.139 That yes 00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:02.379 He was 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:05.659 Killed by enemies 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:07.259 Who despised him 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:09.379 But God 00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:11.379 Wanted him honoured 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.000 In his burial 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.720 Because he had done 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.340 No violence 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.120 Nor was any deceit 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:15.520 In his mouth 00:21:15.520 --> 00:21:18.220 Here is a sign 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.500 Of the father's approval 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:21.900 Of the son's work 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.900 Here is a reversal 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:23.600 That takes place 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.660 Those enemies despise 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.720 But God honours 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.300 His obedient 00:21:26.300 --> 00:21:27.820 And faithful servant 00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:29.760 And next week 00:21:29.760 --> 00:21:30.040 Of course 00:21:30.040 --> 00:21:30.440 We're going to see 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.300 That reversal theme 00:21:31.300 --> 00:21:31.780 Continue 00:21:31.780 --> 00:21:32.300 We're going to see 00:21:32.300 --> 00:21:33.420 The J-curve rise 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:34.300 Further upwards 00:21:34.300 --> 00:21:35.320 In the glory 00:21:35.320 --> 00:21:35.820 And the honour 00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:36.360 Of Jesus 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:37.840 In the resurrection 00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:38.740 But our point 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.500 For today 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:41.579 Is that as Jesus 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.599 Is laid to rest 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:43.480 There is a sign 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:45.619 That God approves 00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:46.619 Of his son 00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:47.460 And his work 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:50.059 We put up 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.380 Don't we 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:51.160 Headstones 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:52.599 For loved ones 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.539 By way of honouring 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.079 Their life 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:54.839 And their memory 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:58.039 God wants to honour 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.519 Jesus 00:21:58.519 --> 00:22:00.140 In his being buried 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:01.319 In a rich man's tomb 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.619 He is God's verdict 00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.440 Of his servant 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.299 The son who he loves 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.319 He is honoured 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:06.759 At death 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.279 To show 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.680 His approval 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:10.339 His work is finished 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:11.799 And God is satisfied 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:13.440 Justice is done 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:15.000 Love is displayed 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.740 Salvation is open 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.319 To all 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.559 Who will believe 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.220 Again 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.240 What's my verdict 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.119 What's your verdict 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:22.259 On the cross of Christ 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.259 Does it match up 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.899 To the verdict 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.460 Of God 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:25.379 The father 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:26.720 Do we love 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.159 Jesus 00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:28.339 As the beloved son 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.299 Do we honour him 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.039 As the saviour 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.539 Of the world 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:32.099 And our saviour 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:34.339 May we have 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.539 Faith 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.879 In Jesus 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:39.039 May we turn 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.599 From sin 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.699 And turn to put 00:22:40.699 --> 00:22:41.779 Our trust in him 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:43.939 May this Easter 00:22:43.939 --> 00:22:44.939 Be a precious time 00:22:44.939 --> 00:22:45.500 Of remembering 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.119 All that God 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:46.779 Has done for us 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.199 In Jesus 00:22:47.199 --> 00:22:47.859 And may we share 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:49.059 This pattern of love 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:51.039 With others 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.779 For the sake 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.359 Of our witness 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.000 To the world