When might someone be tempted to say, “No one understands what I am going through”?
As you study Isaiah 53, look for truths that can help you when you feel that no one understands your thoughts, feelings, or challenges.
Read Isaiah 53:1–4, looking for words or phrases that describe the difficulties Jesus Christ experienced during His life.
Jesus Christ’s Mortal Life
One interpretation of the phrase “he shall grow up before him … as a root out of a dry ground” in Isaiah 53:2 is that Jesus Christ grew up during a time of spiritual drought, or apostasy. This apostasy existed largely because of the wickedness of Jewish leaders and their followers (see 2 Nephi 10:3–5).
Think about what it means that “he [Jesus] hath no form nor comeliness; and … there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2).
President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained the meaning of these phrases:
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Joseph Fielding Smith
“There was nothing about [Jesus] to cause people to single him out. In appearance he was like men; and so it is expressed here by the prophet that he had no form or comeliness, that is, he was not so distinctive, so different from others that people would recognize him as the Son of God. He appeared as a mortal man” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie [1954], 1:23).
In what ways was Jesus Christ “despised and rejected of men” (Isaiah 53:3) during His life?
Remember that Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people and was spat upon, beaten, whipped, and mocked when He was brought to trial, and then He was crucified (see Matthew 26:67–68; 27:22–43).
According to Isaiah 53:4, whose “griefs” and “sorrows” did Jesus Christ bear?
What statement of doctrine can you identify from this verse?
Our Griefs and Sorrows
From Isaiah 53:4 we can identify the following statement of doctrine: Jesus Christ bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.
Consider this statement by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Why is it important to know that the Savior has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows?
Consider the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Why is it important to know that the Savior has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows?
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David A. Bednar
“There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever confront in mortality that the Savior did not experience first. In a moment of weakness we may cry out, ‘No one knows what it is like. No one understands.’ But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice (see Alma 34:14), He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us” (David A. Bednar, “Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 90).
1. When have you felt the Savior comfort or strengthen you or help carry your griefs and sorrows? (Please do not share anything that is too personal or private.)
Take a few moments and reflect on this picture of Jesus Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Because of Jesus Christ’s suffering, we can be healed from the wounds of our sins and the consequences of the Fall of Adam and Eve, including spiritual and physical death.
Read Isaiah 53:5–6, looking for how Jesus Christ suffered for our sins.
What statement of doctrine can we identify from Isaiah’s teachings recorded in verse 5?
Jesus Christ’s Suffering for Sin
You may have identified a statement of doctrine from Isaiah 53:5 that is similar to the following: Jesus Christ suffered for the transgressions and iniquities of all so that we can be forgiven and healed.
Read the following description of the Savior’s suffering by President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency:
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James E. Faust
“He suffered so much pain, ‘indescribable anguish,’ and ‘overpowering torture’ (John Taylor, The Mediation and Atonement [1882], 150) for our sake. His profound suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane … caused Him ‘to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit’ [D&C 19:18]. …
“… No one has ever suffered in any degree what He did” (James E. Faust, “The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 19).
Reread Isaiah 53:5–6. This time, study the verses and substitute your name for the words our, we, and us.
2. In at least three sentences, answer the following question:
What feelings do you have for the Savior as you think about His suffering for your sins?
Phrases That Help Us Better Understand Jesus Christ’s Atonement
How does the prophet Isaiah help us learn more about what the Savior endured?
Read Isaiah 53:7–11, looking for words and phrases that help us further understand what Jesus Christ experienced as part of His Atonement.
Quiz 1
Match the phrases on the left with their meaning on the right.
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth” (verse 7).
Jesus Christ saw His spiritual posterity, or followers who would believe the testimony of the prophets concerning His mission as the Redeemer.
“He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken” (verse 8).
Jesus Christ suffered death in order to save us.
“And he made his grave with the wicked” (verse 9).
Jesus Christ remained silent while He was being unfairly tried and punished.
“It pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief” (verse 10).
Heavenly Father was pleased that Jesus Christ willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for others’ sins.
“When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed” (verse 10; see also Mosiah 15:10–13).
Jesus Christ allowed Himself to die and be buried just like the rest of us, who are sinners.
An All-Encompassing Love
Read Isaiah 53:12, and consider marking the phrase “poured out his soul unto death” in your scriptures.
Then read the following statement by Elder Bruce D. Porter (1952–2016) of the Seventy, looking for how the Savior accomplished His mission.
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Bruce D. Porter
“In Gethsemane, the Savior ‘descended below all things’ (D&C 88:6) as He bore the burden of sin for every human being. At Golgotha, He ‘poured out his soul unto death’ (Isaiah 53:12), and His great heart literally broke with an all-encompassing love for the children of God. When we remember the Savior and His suffering, our hearts too will break in gratitude for the Anointed One” (Bruce D. Porter, “A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit,” Ensign, Nov. 2007, 32).
Take a moment and reflect on the Savior’s sacrifice and His perfect love for us.
The Blessings of Jesus Christ’s Atonement
Jesus Christ will share the reward of eternal life with those who exercise faith in Him, repent, receive the ordinances of the gospel, and keep their covenants. If we do not repent, then we must suffer and pay the penalty for our own sins (see D&C 19:16–19).
Listen to the testimonies of our latter-day prophets in the video “He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ,” which can be found on LDS.org.
Listen to the testimonies of our latter-day prophets in the video “He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ,” which can be found on LDS.org.
In your study journal or in your Notes on LDS.org, answer the following questions:
Which testimony of the prophets impressed you the most?
What are you currently doing to receive the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
How have your efforts to receive the blessings of the Atonement affected your relationship with the Savior?
