Nobody Wants a Dying Messiah

By the time we arrive at Isaiah 53, Christ's abuse, torture, rejection, reproach, mutilation and death have been established in Scripture, as Peter reminded his readers.

But Jesus would not be ashamed, because He knew His bodily obedience would be accepted by God His Father, and righteousness would prevail victorious.

The question to be answered was, why should all this happen to Messiah, the strong Arm of the Lord? What was the reason for His suffering and death?

Isaiah freely admits, that what happened to Messiah would be the reason why his prophecies would not be believed. Indeed, it is this startling treatment of Jesus that would prompt His dismissal by the people.

The strong Arm of the Lord's salvation is revealed as the suffering, dying Messiah, but who can believe it?

Christ would seem to come from nowhere: his family came from the defunct house of David, and had sunk to a very lowly estate.

There was nothing to commend Jesus to the people as a King or Savior. He had no political power, or military backing. He is meek and lowly of heart. He comes riding upon a lowly colt. His kingdom, He admitted, was not now of this world. He wasn't a threat to Rome or the local government officials.

And so, it is said, there was no beauty that Israel should desire Him. He was not esteemed, but rather despised and rejected.

What Christ offered - righteousness, forgiveness of sin, peace with God - was not what the people wanted in a Messiah. They wanted a political savior who would restore the kingdom and overthrow the Roman tyrants.

And since Jesus didn't give Israel what it longed for, what it valued most, there was nothing to commend Him to the people.