I Gave My Back

I Gave My Back

Introduction
Isaiah is sometimes called the Messianic Prophet because so many of his writings point us straight to Christ. We know Isaiah 52 and 53 for the suffering servant, and chapter 61 for the proclamation of good news, but Isaiah 50 is often overlooked. In verses 4 through 9, Isaiah gives us a picture of the coming Messiah as teacher, servant, sacrifice, and victor. It is a prophecy fulfilled in every detail by Jesus Christ. Tonight we are going to walk through these verses together and see how they shine a light on our Lord’s life and mission. If we take this message into our hearts, it will strengthen our faith, deepen our gratitude, and remind us to put all of our trust in Him.

The Messiah as the Effective Teacher
Isaiah says, “The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.” Jesus was recognized even by His opponents as a teacher come from God. Nicodemus admitted this in John 3:2. The Lord knew how to reach people at every level, sometimes through parables, sometimes through direct teaching, but always with clarity and authority. His words brought comfort and rest. In Matthew 11:28–29 He invites the weary to come and find rest for their souls. His strength as a teacher came from His communion with the Father. Isaiah says He listened morning by morning, never rebellious, always obedient. Jesus Himself said in John 5:30 that He came not to do His own will but the will of the Father who sent Him.

The Messiah as the Suffering Servant
Isaiah continues, “I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide my face from shame and spitting.” These words take us straight to the last hours of Christ’s life. Matthew 27:26 tells us of the scourging ordered by Pilate, where Jesus’ back was torn by a brutal Roman whip. Luke 22:63–65 describes how He was mocked, blindfolded, and struck. Mark 14:65 says He was spat upon and beaten with open hands. His face was bruised and swollen, His back torn open, His body covered in wounds. And yet Isaiah emphasizes that He gave His back. This was not forced on Him—He willingly endured it for us.

The Messiah as the Willing Sacrifice
Isaiah says, “I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.” Jesus was determined to complete His mission. Luke 9:51 says He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, knowing full well what awaited Him. Standing before Pilate, falsely accused, Matthew 27:12–14 shows us that He remained silent. He could have called legions of angels to defend Him, but He chose obedience to the Father instead. His heart was set, His purpose clear, and nothing would turn Him aside from the cross.

The Messiah as the Victorious King
In verses 8 and 9, Isaiah records the Messiah’s confidence: “He is near who justifies Me; who will contend with Me? Surely the Lord God will help Me.” At Calvary, Jesus looked defeated, but the empty tomb three days later declared Him the Victor. Philippians 2:8–11 says that because He humbled Himself to the point of death, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name. Psalm 2 had foretold the same truth—Christ would reign, and His enemies would be made His footstool. Isaiah shows us that the Messiah’s suffering was never the end of the story. It was the pathway to victory.

Our Response to the Messiah
Isaiah 50:10 asks the question: “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God.” Jesus trusted the Father and was victorious. He calls us to do the same. The world may despise us, life may be difficult, but those who place their trust in Him will share in His victory. As Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:57, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I Gave My Back Sermon Outline
Introduction

• Isaiah’s prophecies often point to Christ.

• Isaiah 50:4–9 shows the Messiah as teacher, servant, sacrifice, and victor.

I. The Messiah as the Effective Teacher

• Tongue of the learned (Isaiah 50:4).

• Recognized as a teacher from God (John 3:2).

• Offered rest for weary souls (Matthew 11:28–29).

• Obedient to the Father’s will (John 5:30).

II. The Messiah as the Suffering Servant

• Back offered to scourging (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:26).

• Face struck and mocked (Luke 22:63–65).

• Spat upon in shame (Mark 14:65).

• Suffered voluntarily out of love.

III. The Messiah as the Willing Sacrifice

• Face set like flint (Isaiah 50:7; Luke 9:51).

• Silent before Pilate (Matthew 27:12–14).

• Determined to obey the Father’s will.

IV. The Messiah as the Victorious King

• Confidence in the Father’s help (Isaiah 50:8–9).

• Resurrection and exaltation (Philippians 2:8–11).

• Psalm 2 foretells His reign.

• Triumph over sin, death, and Satan.

V. Our Response to the Messiah

• Call to trust in the Lord (Isaiah 50:10).

• Life of faith may be difficult, but victory is promised.

• Assurance of triumph through Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Conclusion
Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 50 takes us from the classroom to the courtroom, from the scourging post to the empty tomb. It shows us Christ as the master teacher, the suffering servant, the willing sacrifice, and the victorious King. All of this He did with full knowledge, full obedience, and full love for us. Tonight the question is simple: have you placed your trust in Him? Have you obeyed His gospel? Jesus gave His back, His face, His life, and He set His face like flint to save us. The only response worthy of such love is to give Him our hearts, our lives, and our faithfulness until the end.

Call to Action
If you have never obeyed the gospel, now is the time to repent of your sins and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. If you are already a Christian but have wandered away, now is the time to return, to ask for prayers, and to be strengthened. The Messiah has already won the victory—will you share in it?

Key Takeaways

• Isaiah 50:4–9 gives a clear prophecy of Christ as teacher, servant, sacrifice, and victor.

• Jesus taught with divine authority and brought comfort to the weary (John 3:2; Matthew 11:28–29).

• He suffered scourging, beating, and shame voluntarily (Matthew 27:26; Luke 22:63–65; Mark 14:65).

• He set His face like flint to fulfill His mission (Isaiah 50:7; Luke 9:51; Matthew 27:12–14).

• His resurrection and exaltation declare Him the victorious King (Philippians 2:8–11; Psalm 2).

• Our response must be faith, trust, and obedience (Isaiah 50:10; 1 Corinthians 15:57).

Scripture Reference List

• Isaiah 50:4–9 – Prophecy of the Messiah’s teaching, suffering, determination, and victory.

• John 3:2 – Jesus recognized as a teacher from God.

• Matthew 11:28–29 – Christ offers rest to the weary.

• John 5:30 – Jesus seeks the Father’s will.

• Matthew 27:26 – Scourged by Pilate’s order.

• Luke 22:63–65 – Mocked, blindfolded, and struck.

• Mark 14:65 – Spat upon and beaten.

• Matthew 27:12–14 – Silent before Pilate.

• Luke 9:51 – Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem.

• Philippians 2:8–11 – Christ exalted after His obedience.

• Psalm 2 – Prophecy of Christ’s victory and reign.

• Isaiah 50:10 – Call to trust in the Lord.

• 1 Corinthians 15:57 – Victory through Jesus Christ.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO