“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”
Where people might expect a conquering lion, Isaiah shows us a Lamb. Why is Christ’s way of rescuing us so different from the world’s picture of power?
Isaiah 50–57 • October 5–11
“He Hath Borne Our Griefs, and Carried Our Sorrows”
Our Savior carried our griefs and sorrows.
Start here
What do people usually expect from a powerful rescuer?
Choose the first answer that comes to mind.
Read Isaiah 53
See the Savior through three lenses.
Choose one lens to study closely. Open the card, read its verses, and be ready to share one phrase you noticed.
01 Isaiah 53:3–6 What He carried
Notice every burden the Savior takes upon Himself.
3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.
4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.
5He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities … and with his stripes we are healed.
6All we like sheep have gone astray … and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Which burden named here is not a sin?
What does that teach you about the reach of His Atonement?
02 Isaiah 53:7–9 How He carried it
Notice what the Savior willingly endured and how He responded.
7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.
8He was taken from prison and from judgment … for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence.
What do these verses reveal about His character?
Why does His willingness matter to you?
03 Isaiah 53:10–12 What His sacrifice makes possible
Look for the results of the Savior’s suffering.
10When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed … and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
What words point to hope rather than defeat?
How have you experienced something He makes possible?
Watch with a purpose
Choose one prophecy to look for.
Select a phrase before the video begins. Watch for a moment that helps you see how the prophecy was fulfilled.
Your focus Choose a phrase above.
After watching
- Where did you see your chosen phrase fulfilled?
- What moment helped you understand Isaiah 53 differently?
- What did the Savior willingly endure rather than avoid?
Choose a phrase to carry
Which truth do you most need today?
Your choice stays only on this device. Tap a phrase to open a private reflection.
Make it personal
Read Isaiah 53:4–5 again.
Read slowly and make the words personal by substituting “my” and “I” where appropriate.
“Surely he hath borne my griefs, and carried my sorrows … he was wounded for my transgressions … and with his stripes I am healed.”
What becomes more personal when you read it this way?
A truth to carry with you
Because of Isaiah 53, I believe Jesus Christ…
Finish the sentence privately. Share it only if you would like to.
Nothing you type is sent or saved.
Take action
Choose one invitation to carry into this week.
Faith becomes part of us when it becomes something we do. Choose the invitation that meets you where you are right now.
Look forward with faith
Choose one phrase of hope from Isaiah 50–52. Write it somewhere you will see it, and let it shape one decision you make this week.
Return to Him
Bring one sin, weakness, grief, or feeling of distance to the Savior in honest prayer. Ask what one step toward Him looks like now.
Invite others
Notice someone who may feel outside, overlooked, or separated. Do one specific thing that helps them feel there is room for them among the Lord’s people.
Closing thought
He carried what we could not carry alone.
Jesus Christ saves us not from a distance, but through perfect compassion, willing sacrifice, and redeeming power. Because He descended below all things, no grief, sorrow, sin, or wound places us beyond His reach.
Continue studying
“He Hath Borne Our Griefs, and Carried Our Sorrows”
Isaiah 53 centers our study on the Savior’s suffering and sacrifice. The surrounding chapters widen the view: the Lord gives His people hope, invites the distant to return, and makes room for all who will take hold of His covenant.
Study this week
Additional themes from Isaiah 50–57.
Isaiah 50–52
The future is bright for the Lord’s people.
Israel’s captivity had lasted for years, and some of their suffering followed poor choices. Still, the Lord invited them to look forward with hope. His power to redeem was greater than their past and stronger than their captors.
Questions to carry
What do these chapters teach me about God?
Which words give me hope?
What can I do to make that hope part of my life?
From the source lesson Embrace the Future with Faith President Russell M. Nelson
Isaiah 54; 57:15–19
Jesus Christ wants me to return to Him.
At times we may feel distant from the Lord because of sin, weakness, loneliness, or discouragement. Isaiah answers that fear with reassurance: the Savior’s kindness does not depart, His covenant of peace remains, and He revives the humble and contrite.
Questions to carry
What words show how the Savior feels about someone who has wandered?
What difference does it make to know that He still wants you home?
From the source lesson He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home President Dieter F. Uchtdorf God’s Intent Is to Bring You Home Elder Patrick Kearon
Isaiah 55–56
The Lord invites all to “take hold of my covenant.”
God’s covenant family was never meant to be closed to only one nation or one kind of person. “Every one that thirsteth” is invited to come to the waters, seek the Lord, keep the Sabbath, and gather with His people.
Questions to carry
What does it mean to be one of God’s covenant people?
What message does the Lord give to someone who feels “utterly separated” from Him?
Which attitudes and actions help us take hold of His covenant?
Scripture helps
Three images Isaiah invites us to understand.
Put on “beautiful garments”
The Lord calls Zion to awake, rise from captivity, and live in the beauty and strength of covenant holiness.
Open in Gospel LibraryBeautiful feet upon the mountains
Those who publish peace and bring good tidings are beautiful because their message announces the reign and salvation of God.
Open in Gospel LibraryEnlarge the place of thy tent
The growing tent is an image of gathering, inclusion, and making room for all who will come into the Lord’s covenant family.
Open in Gospel LibraryAdditional Resources