We spend a lot of time celebrating Jesus at Christmastime. Easter doesn't have as much secular fanfare, and one reason may be because Easter forces us to answer hard questions about who Jesus is and who we are. In fact, Aaron Shust's song "Isaiah 53" leads us to an important section of ancient Scripture that forces us to answer those questions. Let's study the ancient prophecy written by Isaiah 700 years before Christ fulfilled its words. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Repetition Meditation Follow the cross-references Consult various translations The 30 Day Music Challenge Our focus Scripture for the week - Isaiah 52:13-Isaiah 53:12 The Mysterious Prophecy of Isaiah 53 by Michael Rydelnik - RightNowMedia.org How the interaction between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch confirms this Scripture is about Jesus - Acts 8:26-40 How God revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Messiah (and Jesus confirms it) - Matthew 16:15-17 John the Baptist prophesying that Jesus is the sacrificial lamb - John 1:29 Unpacking the focus Scripture verse by verse with cross-references Isaiah 52:13 - Jesus is exalted - Philippians 2:9 Isaiah 52:14 - crucifixion is disfiguring Isaiah 52:15 - we will be sprinkled clean - Ezekiel 36:25-27 Isaiah 53:1 - explained in John 12:37-43 Isaiah 53:2 - Jesus was a common man - John 1:46, John 6:42 Isaiah 53:3 - Jesus was rejected - John 1:11 Isaiah 53:4 - Jesus was thought to be rejected by God because of false claims of divinity - John 19:7 Isaiah 53:5 - it was our sin he died for - Romans 4:25 Isaiah 53:6 - we've all sinned - Romans 3:23, 1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:7 - Jesus remained silent - Matthew 26:63 Isaiah 53:8 - read in the New Living Translation Isaiah 53:9 - Jesus died between two wicked men and was buried in a rich man's tomb - Mark 15:27, Matthew 27:57-60 Isaiah 53:10 - it was God's plan before the foundation of the world - Revelation 13:8 Isaiah 53:11 - we are justified through Christ - Romans 5:18-19 Isaiah 53:12 - Jesus bore our sin - 2 Corinthians 5:21 Christ's sacrifice happened once, and he will appear again to bring salvation to those waiting for Him - Hebrews 2:28 Additional Resources Lyrics The Mysterious Prophecy of Isaiah 53 by Michael Rydelnik - RightNowMedia.org Isaiah 53 TALK (w/ Rabbi Ken) by Aaron Shust - YouTube Video Why Isaiah 53 is Important by Aaron Shust - YouTube Video Weekly Challenge Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Then read it again. Consider how Jesus has fulfilled this prophecy through your own understanding of Scripture. Use the cross-references listed in the show notes above to get you started. Finally, read the account of the last days of Christ on earth in Matthew 26-28 or one of the other gospels. Take in the entire picture and rejoice that our iniquity has been paid for by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, and our eternity is secure through his victory over death in resurrection power.