Isaiah 53 - A Gentile Perspective

As the Western Church approaches its celebration of Easter (a time when we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus), I cannot help but to be in awe of the foreknowledge of God. I have always believed that the thrust of Paul's Gospel was the inclusion of the Gentiles within Christ's finished work. It is against this backdrop that I found myself reading Isaiah 53. What a beautiful Gospel!

The Apostle Paul argues that the inclusion of the Gentiles is at the heart of the gospel. Often calling it the "mystery of the gospel" (Eph. 6:19), he explains that it was something not previously revealed (Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:3-9; Col. 1:27). But now, through the teaching of the apostles, it's being make known. Much of the church has typically thought that the main question for Paul was "How can the individual be saved?," but it seems to me that the more pressing question is, "How is it that the Gentiles are included in the New Covenant?" This is what I call the tension of the New Testament. There is an individual aspect of salvation along with the belief of universal redemption. Which begs the question: "Whose iniquities (the ALL OUR of Isaiah) were laid upon HIM (the Messiah)?"

This question, along with many others, goes to the heart of the matter. How are we to interpret Isaiah 53, as well as the many other texts that give reference to the finished work of Christ? What are we to believe about God so loving the world? How do we apply what Paul refers to as the predetermination of the Father in Ephesians 1? Even more important than our answers to these questions would be our communication of these truths.

Isaiah 53 begins with this question: "Who has believed our report?" I often wonder if Isaiah could see the mystery of the Gospel in what would follow. Did He understand the inclusion of the Gentiles when he spoke of the iniquity of us all? Could he see the reward of the suffering servant including ALL nations/ALL people?

See this text through the eyes of a Gentile:
"Surely He carried the griefs of ALL; even though we considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted of God. But He was pierced through for the transgressions of JEWS AND GENTILE, He was crushed for the the iniquities of EVERYONE; the chastening of the peace and well being of HUMANITY fell upon Him, and by His stripes WE WERE ALL HEALED." (verses 4-5) *paraphrased based upon the mystery of the Gospel.

We can no longer view Isaiah 53 based upon a purely Jewish perspective.
We also cannot translate the finished work of Christ simply based upon the experience of the Church.
The "One New Man" that the Apostle Paul speaks of has been established in Christ. Jew and Gentile are finally together in Him. Our part in history, in this story, is the unfolding of that revelation.

As we approach Good Friday and our celebration of the resurrection of Christ, I pray that our eyes would be opened. May we see ALL PEOPLE in Him. May we rescue the mystery of the Gospel from all of our schisms. May we determine in our hearts to see the love of the Father for THE WHOLE WORLD.

YOU ARE INCLUDED!!!