Systematic Theology: A 7-Day Crash CourseSample

Jesus Christ: Substitutionary Death and Resurrection

Isaiah’s final Servant Song describes the future suffering servant of the Lord. The beatings he endures leave him unrecognizable (52:14); he is despised and rejected, and he silently suffers oppression (53:3, 7–8). Although the servant is “righteous,” God wills his death (vv. 9–10). How could this be? Because the servant dies willingly (v. 12), and his terrible suffering is vicarious. Four times in verse 5, Isaiah presents the servant’s suffering as a substitutionary punishment endured for others. Moreover, he is a sin-bearer, and his death is a guilt offering (vv. 6, 10, 12; see Lev. 5:14–19). Clearly, the servant dies in the place of others to make atonement for them.

After describing the servant’s dreadful suffering, Isaiah predicts his resurrection: “He shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days” (Isa. 53:10). To “prolong one’s days” and similar expressions occur 21 times in the OT. With one possible exception (Ps. 23:6), these expressions always refer to lengthened earthly life. But “he shall prolong his days” refers here to a dead person, thus speaking of the servant’s life extending after death—his resurrection. Through his death and resurrection the servant accomplishes God’s plan.

Theology for Life—Isaiah presents Christ’s saving work, his atoning death and resurrection, as the basis on which God will accept all who trust him as Lord and Savior (cf. 1 Cor. 15:3–4).