The ancient prophet/servant of the Lord (sometimes called Second Isaiah) spoke these words in the context of his own suffering and the suffering of Israel. But like other words of prophecy in chapters 40 through 66 of Isaiah, these words especially apply to the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These words speak of the Passion of our Lord and his servant leadership.

Jesus is the prime example of a leader. A leader is the one who is willing to serve others, not self. A leader says the right thing at the right time in the right way, but he1 listens more than he speaks. A leader has his eye on God, and thus rises above the circumstances which surround him. All of these leadership qualities are in our text, especially as we see the words of Isaiah 50:4-9a fulfilled in Jesus …