Isaiah 53:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The depth of this misguidance is profound: each one has wandered off on their own accord; they have not only strayed in foreign lands but also in their own nation, within their own city, moving away from the truth. And the Lord charged Him with the iniquities of us all.

His suffering was not due to compulsion, but came from His own volition, as shown in the Gospel when He asks, ‘The cup which the Father gave Me, shall I not drink it?’ (John 18:11). To Peter, who faltered at the thought of the cross, lacking insight into the mystery and overwhelmed with human fear, He declared, ‘Get behind Me, Satan; you are an offense to Me; for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men’ (Matt. 16:23). Likewise, He, who foresaw and identified His betrayer and told the disciples, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night’ (Matt. 26:31), if it weren't for His own willing choice, could have easily dismissed those who approached Him. Instead, He met them without fear and presented Himself, asking, ‘Whom do you seek?’ (John 18:4). They fell backward immediately (John 18:6), unable to withstand the power of God’s voice in His presence.

Unknown, because we are unsure of how to arrive there. Treacherous, as countless demons surround it like thieves, obstructing our way and preventing us from reaching it. In such an important endeavor, we are in need of a skilled and wise leader. Where shall we find Him? Among the wise and learned of this world? Certainly not! For all, both the simple and the wise, have strayed from this path: “all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Therefore, even the most astute individuals of this age are in search of a guide to this heavenly Fatherland.

Where shall we look? The prophets, apostles, and teachers all point us to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He alone serves as the faithful and wise Leader to our heavenly homeland. No one can approach the Father without His guidance, as He teaches us, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). God, wishing to lead Israel from the slavery of Egypt to the promised land, sent Moses, His devoted servant, for this significant task. He guided the Israelites out of oppression and through the wilderness to the Promised Land. After Moses' death, the Lord appointed Joshua as their leader, guiding God's people into a land flowing with milk and honey.

Dear Christian, Moses and Joshua prefigure Jesus Christ, the Son of God; the old Israel represents the new Israel, the Christians; the bondage of Egypt symbolizes our own enslavement to the devil; the crossing of the sea signifies holy Baptism; and the Israelites' journey through the wilderness mirrors the Christian life on earth. The Promised Land symbolizes our heavenly homeland. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to liberate us from the devil’s bondage and to lead us to His heavenly Father. The Father in heaven attests to Him: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5). All prophets, apostles, and teachings of the Church direct us to follow Him. “Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). He states, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). And again, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also” (John 12:26).

All the saints have followed Him and have been brought to the land flowing with heavenly sweetness. His faithful servants continue to follow Him even today, guided by faith, love, humility, patience, and meekness. He leads them to this homeland, carrying them like a good shepherd upon His shoulders to His heavenly Father. O Christians, let us also join this blessed and holy assembly, following Jesus with faith, love, and humility, so that He may guide us not merely to the land of Canaan, but to the eternal Kingdom of God, bestowing upon each of us our inheritance. O Jesus, the source of our salvation! Steer me along Your path, draw me to Yourself, that we may run together.

The prophet affirms this when he declares that He bears our sins and suffers for us, stating that we viewed Him as stricken, afflicted by God, and in anguish. He was wounded for our iniquities, and the chastisement that brings us peace fell upon Him: through His suffering, we find healing. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray; we have each turned to our own path, and the Lord has allowed us to face our transgressions for our benefit (Isaiah 53:4-6). This represents the second burden our Savior bore—His voluntary suffering, the indescribable afflictions, torments, and sorrows that He experienced for our sins.

He urges us to return, saying, “Be ye as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:25). This return from spiritual and moral waywardness leads believers back to the protective fold of the Church, where, under the watchful care of Christ the Shepherd, they find refuge from all tribulations. The Lord bore our iniquity on His own shoulders. God the Father “so loved the world (the human race) that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Mankind faced the threat of eternal ruin due to sin, but the Son was sacrificed by the Father “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In the account of the Son’s sufferings ordained by God the Father, there came a moment of intense anguish, prompting Him to cry out, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).