One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah 53. I think it is probably a favorite for most Christians. This is the passage where we read: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 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” (Vv. 5 & 6).
I have enjoyed reading what some famous Christians have said about this passage. I hope that you will find them edifying as well:
“This in many respects may be regarded as the most important in all the writings of the Old Testament, and which is better adapted than any other to lead us to a right understanding of the whole. The partial obscurity which usually accompanies the representations of the prophets seem here to have entirely vanished.” — E.W. Hengestenberg
“Though some things need explanation, this alone is enough, which is so plain, that even our enemies, in spite of their disinclination, are compelled to understand it.” — Augustine
“What now follows affords so plain a testimony concerning Christ, that I do not know whether anything more definite can be found in the Scriptures, or even whether a more explicit passage could be framed.” — Huldrych Zwingli
“There is, indeed, in all the writings of the Old Testament, no plainer text nor prediction, both of the sufferings and the resurrection of Christ, than in this chapter. Therefore all Christians should be well acquainted with it, even know it by heart, in order to strengthen and defend our faith.” — Martin Luther
“How many are there whose eyes have been opened when reading this ‘golden passion of the Old Testament evangelist,’ as Polycarp the Lysian calls it! In how many an Israelite has it melted the crust of his heart! It looks as if it had been written beneath the cross upon Golgotha, and was illuminated by the heavenly brightness. It is the most central, the deepest, and the loftiest thing that the Old Testament prophecy has ever achieved.” — Franz Delitzsch
Thanks for this – a balm to the soul of one traveling and unable to attend church this morning.
Amen. I just finished preaching on Isaiah 53 over the last two Sundays. Impossible to do it justice, but impossible not to grow in your love for Christ.
I was awestruck as I listened to Isaiah 53 read through my Bible App this morning!
Franz Delitzsch’s quote resonated with me – “It is the most central, the deepest, and the loftiest thing that the Old Testament prophecy has ever achieved.”
Isaiah 53 was one of several chapters our parents “made” their 8 children memorize as children…(including Isaiah 35)…making certain we were “hiding” the Word in our hearts. What a treasure!
That’s a great story! Thank you for sharing that, Mary! A good point of connection for me with them.