Israel expected a conquering Messiah who would crush their enemies. Isaiah 52:13–53:12 describes Someone very different: a quiet servant with no impressive looks, “despised and rejected,” “a man of sorrows,” who carries other people’s griefs, is wounded for their sins, and stays silent “as a lamb to the slaughter.” Isaiah wrote it roughly 700 years before Jesus was born. Around it, the chapters are full of hope: “Awake, awake; put on thy strength” (52:1), “my kindness shall not depart from thee” (54:10), and an open invitation to everyone who is thirsty (55:1).
Today’s scene comes from Acts 8:26–39. An angel sends Philip to a desert road, where a powerful Ethiopian official, the treasurer of his queen, is riding home from worshipping in Jerusalem and reading Isaiah 53 aloud. Philip asks if he understands it. The man answers honestly that he can’t without someone to guide him, invites Philip into the chariot, and asks who the prophet is talking about. Philip starts from that very scripture and teaches him about Jesus. When they reach water, the man asks to be baptized and goes on his way rejoicing.
The doctrine: in Gethsemane and on the cross Jesus Christ suffered for our sins (53:5–6), and He also took on our pains, sicknesses, and sorrows so He would know how to help us (Alma 7:11–12). Abinadi quoted this whole chapter to King Noah’s priests (Mosiah 14). The manual also highlights Isaiah 54 and 57:15–19: the Lord wants us back, and He dwells with people who are humble and sorry, not only with people who have it all together.
For 11- to 14-year-olds: many feel pressure to look perfect and to handle everything alone. Isaiah 53 says the Savior already knows what it feels like to be rejected and sad. New deacons pass the sacrament every week, and this chapter is what the sacrament is about. Speak about His suffering reverently and simply; keep the focus on His love. If a youth mentions something serious (self-harm, abuse), follow your ward’s guidance and involve the bishop right away.