But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
C. H. Spurgeon described Isaiah 53 as a Bible in miniature. Why? Because no other chapter of the Bible explains more clearly why Jesus had to come, and no chapter explains more fully what Jesus accomplished in His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
The first six verses explain why we need a Savior; the last six show why Jesus is the Savior we need. Put these together, and Isaiah 53 can lead you to true faith in Jesus Christ.
We know this because in the New Testament we have the story of “a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure” (Acts 8:27). This man was the chief financial officer for an entire nation. Let’s call him the chancellor.
You don’t land a job like this unless you’re brilliant. The chancellor must have been highly educated and a master of fiscal policy. He had all the trappings of a successful career, including a first-class ride in his own chariot.
The chancellor had a scroll of the prophet Isaiah and it was opened to chapter 53, but he didn’t understand it. To help him, God sent a believer by the name of Philip, who asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (8:30).
“How can I unless someone guides me?” the chancellor responded (8:31). Philip climbed up in his chariot, and they both began looking at the words of the scroll together.
“About whom,” asked the chancellor, “does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” (8:34). “Beginning with this Scripture” in Isaiah 53, Philip told the chancellor “the good news about Jesus” (8:35). And the chancellor believed and was baptized that day!
Did God send someone to help you understand the good news about Jesus? If so, who? If not, you could ask Him to.
