Isaiah means “the Lord is salvation,” and is a fitting name for the prophet, because he foretold the gospel message in thorough, vivid, accurate detail. No text in the entire Old Testament is more momentous than Isaiah 52:13-53:12. It is a prophecy that begins and ends with the voice of God himself. He calls our attention to a singular individual: (52:13 “behold, my servant…” and (53:11) “The righteous One, my servant.”
This servant is the Anointed on of Israel, revealed as the Messiah. We know this for several reasons:
1. These words are a clear echo of Isaiah 42:1 “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.”
2. Therefore the introductory words of Isaiah 52:13 makes clear that what follows is a prophecy concerning the Messiah.
3. The entire passage then focuses on the servant of the Lord.
The amazing thing about this passage is that it was written hundreds of years before the incarnation of the Messiah in the person of Jesus Christ. It would do your heart good to take the time to read this passage today, and compare this passage with the gospels, and see that there is no one else who could fulfill this prophecy. Then remind yourself of the sovereign control of God over the events of each of our lives.