Teaching Li
Easter: The Will of the Father
This Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we explore Isaiah 53, we discover that both the descent of Christ on Good Friday and His ascent on Easter Sunday were part of God's divine plan for our salvation.
The Father's Will: Christ's Descent
Humility & Obscurity
Jesus descended into humility, becoming "like a plant growing up" that nobody recognized.
"he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him." Isaiah 53:2
Rejection & Suffering
He was "a man of sorrows," descending into grief, rejection, and wounding.
"he was despised, and we esteemed him not." Isaiah 53:3
Sin & Judgment
He descended into the sin of others, taking their place as a substitute.
"upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
Soul Anguish & Death
He experienced "the anguish of soul" unlike any other, receiving God's wrath.
"his soul makes​ an offering for guilt," Isaiah 53:10
The Prophecy of Isaiah 53
1
Written 700 Years Before Christ
Isaiah's prophecy was written seven centuries before Jesus, with archaeological evidence confirming its authenticity.
2
Detailed Prediction of Suffering
The prophecy describes a suffering servant who would be "despised and rejected," bearing the sins of many.
3
Fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Every detail of Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection.
The Guilt Offering: Removing Sin

Righteousness Imputed
Christ's righteousness given to believers
Debt Canceled
Sin removed through sacrifice
Blood Sacrifice
The spotless lamb slain for our sins
It was "the will of the Lord to crush him" as a guilt offering for our sins. This sacrifice removes our sin debt, but more than bringing us to zero, Christ imputes His infinite righteousness to us. The price of heaven is not just the absence of sin, but the presence of Christ's righteousness.
From Death to Life: The Resurrection
Death on Friday
Christ descended into death as our substitute
Burial
Laid in a tomb, seemingly defeated
Resurrection Sunday
Rose victorious over death
Exaltation
Ascended to execute the Father's will
Isaiah 53:10 marks the pivotal turn from descent to ascent: "He shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days." After dying, the Servant is somehow alive to execute the Father's will. The resurrection completes what the crucifixion began.
The Son's Satisfaction
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see​ and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, ​and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, ​because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:11-12
A Ransomed Family
Out of His death comes a people, a family, a kingdom of those who believe in Him. Isaiah says "he shall see his offspring" - those who are saved through His sacrifice.
Authority and Reign
The will of the Lord is now "in his hand" - He has been given dominion, authority, and a kingdom that will never end, fulfilling Daniel's prophecy of the Son of Man.
Righteousness Given
"By his knowledge shall the righteous One, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous." His death pays for sin; His life gives righteousness.
We do not have a "memorialized faith, but a living faith in a living Jesus." On Friday, He descended; on Sunday, He ascended; someday soon, He will return. Because He lives, we too shall live. As Hebrews 7:25 says, "He always lives to make intercession" for those who believe in Him.