Isaiah 53:3-7 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him… I. IN WHAT RESPECTS IT MAY STILL BE SAID THAT CHRIST IS DESPISED AND REJECTED OF MEN. 1. Men may be said to despise Christ when they do not receive Him as their alone Saviour, the true and only way to the Father. 2. When they practically deny His authority by breaking His Commandments. 3. When they do not give Him the chief room in their hearts, nor prefer Him in their choice to everything else. 4. When they do not publicly, confess Him before men. II. THE CAUSES OF THIS CONTEMPT. 1. The main cause is a secret unbelief. 2. Love of this would. 3. Ignorance of their own condition. 4. An opinion that they may obtain His aid at what time soever they shall choose to ask it. III. THE MALIGNITY OF THIS SIN. 1. To despise and reject such a Saviour, is the blackest ingratitude that can possibly be imagined. 2. Your ingratitude is heightened by the most insolent contempt both of the wisdom and goodness of God. 3. By despising and rejecting Christ, you openly proclaim war against the Most High, and bid Him defiance. (R. Walker.) Parallel Verses KJV: He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. |