Jesus Was Rejected by Many

The first three verses of Isaiah 53 give a brief summary of the Messiah's life during His first coming. Both His life and appearance are described, along with His ministry and the reaction men have toward Him, namely, their rejection of Him.

"Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" (v. 1). The thought is that men did not believe the message. Despite the clear prophecy of Old Testament Scripture, they did not recognize the Messiah. The Old Testament clearly describes both the life of Jesus the Messiah and the purpose for which He came. But He is revealed to only a few. Most do not understand.

"For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground" (v. 2a). Take a look at Isaiah 11:1—"There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots." The term "Branch" refers to the growth that sprouts from the stump of a tree after it has been cut down or has died. We have all seen the shoots that grow from the stump of a fallen tree. The tree, which was cut down, often still has life in it. So although the house of David had been cut off, dead for centuries, just as was prophesied, the Messiah Jesus Christ came, being born a descendant of David.

"He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him" (v. 2b). This is a picture of how things were at the time of Jesus. It was a dark time in Israel. It was a dark time spiritually, as well as a dark time politically after centuries of foreign dominance and occupation. It was also a time of poverty. Israel was all but dead.

But then the Messiah came. Jesus was born in humble circumstances with no particular beauty or physical stature that would draw us to Him. He was born to a poor, working family and probably had an average appearance. There was nothing special about His circumstances or His appearance that would set Him apart as a leader people would follow. What was so compelling was His message.

So people failed to accept Him, but rather rejected Him. "He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him" (v. 3). The Messiah Jesus Christ was rejected by the religious leaders of Israel. They accused Him falsely and cursed Him. They openly expressed their hatred of Him and they led the people astray, getting them to holler, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

He was widely rejected, leading to His crucifixion. Rejection gave way to His cruel, yet saving death on the cross. He was rejected by men in order to save you. Now each of us must either reject Him as they did, or accept Him by faith as our Lord and Savior. Which is it? You decide. Amen.