Chris Osborne | SWBTS Chapel, November 5, 2026

Summary

Chris Osborne’s sermon centers on Isaiah 53 and argues that the passage describes Jesus, the suffering servant, rather than Israel as a nation.

Main Ideas

• Jesus’ appearance was not the point. Isaiah describes the servant as having no striking form or beauty. Osborne says this shows that people were not meant to follow Jesus because of his looks, but because of who he was and what he did.
• Jesus was rejected, including by his own people. Osborne points to the crowds who first followed Jesus and later abandoned or opposed him, as well as the shift from Palm Sunday celebration to demands for his crucifixion.
• Jesus suffered on behalf of others. Isaiah 53 says the servant bears people’s griefs, is wounded for their transgressions, and suffers to bring them peace and healing. The crowd wrongly assumed Jesus’ suffering meant God was against him. Osborne emphasizes the irony: God did subject Jesus to suffering, but as a sacrifice for others’ sin—not because Jesus himself had failed.
• The cross brings an exchange of sin and righteousness. Osborne describes Jesus as sinless and perfectly obedient. Through faith in his atoning death, a person’s sin is forgiven and Christ’s righteousness is credited to them. Osborne illustrates this with two “books of account”: without Christ, the record of sin is full and the record of holiness is empty; through Christ, the record of sin is cleared and Christ’s righteousness is credited.
• The resurrection confirms the promise. Osborne connects Isaiah’s promise that the servant would see his offspring and the Lord’s purpose prosper with Jesus rising from the dead. The resurrection demonstrates that Jesus’ work has borne fruit and that those made righteous through him will share in its result.
• The criminal crucified beside Jesus recognized his innocence and kingship. Osborne notes that one of the men came to see that Jesus did not deserve his punishment and asked to be remembered in Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus promised that he would be with him in paradise.
• The gospel is the foundation of ministry. For people called to ministry, Osborne says the core message is Jesus’ death for sin and the righteousness he gives. He distinguishes this calling from political aims: the minister’s task is to proclaim Jesus’ greatness.
• The gospel offers assurance amid suffering. The world is broken, and ministry involves caring for people who are hurting, but hardship does not undo a believer’s standing with God. Osborne recounts his son’s prolonged hospitalization and the comfort he found in seeing a cross outside the hospital. His son’s suffering did not alter the assurance grounded in Christ’s suffering and righteousness.

People and Sources Featured

• Chris Osborne — Sermon speaker; recounts personal stories and interprets Isaiah 53.
• An unnamed Jewish rabbi — Presents the interpretation that Isaiah 53 refers to Israel.
• Sydney Bodo — Cited as explaining Isaiah 53 and the blood of Jesus to the rabbi’s daughter.
• Frank Page — Mentioned in Osborne’s story about a trip to Israel.
• Peg — Osborne’s wife, mentioned in the Israel-trip story.
• Osborne’s unnamed son — Featured in the story about his hospitalization.
• The Bible — Especially Isaiah 53; also John 6, Matthew’s account of the events around Jesus’ crucifixion, Luke 23’s account of the criminal beside Jesus, and Paul’s statement about Christ becoming sin for humanity in 2 Corinthians 5:21.
• Jesus — The central subject of the sermon and the speaker of the words quoted from the cross.
• The criminal crucified beside Jesus — Quoted asking to be remembered in Jesus’ kingdom.