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ISAIAH 50:4-7

Intro: The cross was no accident, the sufferings were not a mistake.
       Peter, "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of
       God ye have taken and with wicked hands have." Here in our text God is
       declaring His determinate counsel.

I. CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS SERVANT.
        A. Vs. 5,  "The Lord hath opened my ear."
                1. Servant by choice.
                2. Phil. 2-9 Form of God-no reputation, took upon Him form of a servant.
        B. As a servant He spoke for His Master.
                Vs. 4.
                1. Before the tongue of the learned comes the awakened ear.

II. CHRIST THE SUFFERING SERVANT.
        A. "I gave my back to the smiters."
                1. He was wounded for our transgressions.
                2. The suffering of Christ at the whipping post.
                3. Here His body was broken for us.
                        a. Discerning the Lord's body.
        B. And my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair.
                1. Isa. 52:14 - "Face so marred He could not be recognized as a man."

III. CHRIST THE REJECTED SERVANT.
        A. "I hid not my face from the shame and spitting."
                1. To present day greatest sign of contempt, scorn and reaction in Orient.

IV. WHY ALL THIS?
        A. Was it not to show the sinfulness of sin.
                1. The ugliness of sin, cannot tolerate that which is pure.
                2. Because it is debased it seeks to debase all that is around it.
        B. Was it not to show the depths of God's love.
                1. "For if ye love those that love you..."
                2. "But God commendeth (displayed. His love toward us.."
        C. Was it not to redeem us from our sins.
                1. Heb, "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross."
                2. "He was rejected by man so that we may be accepted by-God."
                        Isn't it a shame that He did all this in vain?