The more severe a problem is, the stronger the solution will need to be. Isaiah 53 foretells the death of the "Suffering Servant" and it describes frankly the severity of the human problem of sin that required His death. 

First, Isaiah says Jesus will be "pierced for our transgressions" (53:5). Transgressions are violations of God's law - we do not love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Nor do we love our neighbor as ourselves. In fact when Jesus came, people "rejected and despised" him (53:3). 

But sin is not just the bad stuff we do, it also describes what we are. Isaiah says that the Servant was "crushed for our iniquities" (53:5). Iniquity is our sin-sickness, our corruption, the "flesh" which inclines us to want to sin rather than to love and obey God. 

Thirdly, Jesus bore the "chastisement that brought us peace." We are alienated from God. We are not just far from him, but in rebellion against him. Apart from Christ we are enemies of God (Rom 5:10). 

The depth and darkness of our sin requires the strongest of solutions - the death of God's own Son. This strong solution shows us the severity of the problem of sin, but the sacrifice of the gift shows us the strength of God's love. 

For God sent the Suffering Servant, his own Son, as a sacrificial lamb (53:7). Isaiah emphasizes that He died in our place - notice how many times the Servant takes something that was ours (2 x v. 4, 3x v. 5, v. 6). He bore our sins in his body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). He took our sins in order to give us his righteousness (2 Cor 5:21).

Taking it Home: As we look at the darkness of sin, is there any place where we have made peace with, downplayed, or accepted sin in any form?

As we look at God in Christ on the cross, are you walking in thanksgiving and joy for God's great love for you?

Family Discussion Question:  Why did so many people reject Jesus?