This passage has been called the “5th Gospel” because it articulates the cross.

Jesus is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah.

There is something unexpected about God’s Kingdom in each stanza.

1. Isaiah 52:13-15. The least is the greatest. The servant is “high and lifted up” just like God in chapter 6, however he was marred beyond human semblance. God the Son is also God the Servant. He was willing to be least of all. He taught “blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
2. Isaiah 53:1-3. God prefers the ordinary.  Jesus was not particularly majestic or attractive. He had an obscure birth followed by an unimpressive childhood in a remote town. He taught that the kingdom was like a mustard seed, which is tiny but grows large. 
3. Isaiah 53:4-6. Jesus trades places with us. We esteemed him stricken by God. It appears that God is judging him, but we later learn that God was judging us on him. This stanza has the 1st person pronoun ten times because we all have gone astray but he was pierced for our sins. No one is a ‘basically good’ person. The cross is our only hope of forgiveness.
4. Isaiah 53:7-9. His life was given not taken. Jesus was silent before his accusers. We think life should be fair and we demand our personal rights. He suffered injustice willingly to save us from sin.
5. Isaiah 53:10-12. The righteous by faith shall live. Out of anguish, Jesus was satisfied (v.11) because he will make many righteous (future tense). In the last verse, he makes intercession for transgressors (ongoing present tense). Many, but not all, will receive salvation. 

Taking It Home: Give God thanks and praise for the cross.