Isaiah 50–57: Lesson 124
Isaiah 53
Jesus Christ Has “Borne Our Griefs, and Carried Our Sorrows”
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
Our mortal difficulties may cause us to wonder if anyone understands what we’re experiencing and if anyone can help us. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus Christ felt everything we may experience in mortality. Because of His Atonement, Jesus Christ can help us in our suffering. This lesson can help you feel gratitude for what the Savior has done for you through His Atonement.
Study the Scriptures
Anna and Mira have been best friends for years, so when Anna’s grandpa died, Mira rushed to her house to offer comfort. Anna answered the door in tears. “I’m so sorry,” said Mira. “I know this is hard. My uncle died last year, so I know how you feel.”
Anna smiled politely but inwardly sighed. “No, you don’t,” she thought. “You know how you felt. It’s different, so don’t pretend it’s the same. No one knows how I feel but me.”
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Do you agree with Anna’s thoughts? Is it possible to perfectly understand how someone else feels?
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Why would it be useful if you had someone who knows exactly how you feel?
If available, watch “The Savior Understands Me” from time codes 1:45–3:37.
Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ perfectly knows and understands our life experiences. In Isaiah 53, the prophet Isaiah taught about Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
Isaiah 53:3–5 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider tagging doctrinal mastery passages with the topic they teach so you can find them easily later. Memorize the reference and key scripture phrase, “Surely [Jesus Christ] hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” Write the reference on paper using a pencil, then erase a new word or number each time you recite it until the page is blank again.
Read Isaiah 53:1–12 and mark the following in two distinct ways:
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What the Savior experienced as part of His Atonement.
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What the Savior can do for me because of His Atonement.
If you struggle to understand some phrases as you read, check the endnotes of this lesson for possible interpretations. You may want to make a note next to each phrase that includes the possible interpretation.
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“There is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2)
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“He is despised and rejected of men” (Isaiah 53:3)
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“He has borne our griefs” (Isaiah 53:4)
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“The chastisement of our peace was upon him” (Isaiah 53:5)
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“With his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)
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“He made his grave with the wicked” (Isaiah 53:9)
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“It pleased the Lord to bruise him” (Isaiah 53:10)
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“his seed” (Isaiah 53:10)
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
Which of my feelings has Jesus felt?
Isaiah is not the only prophet who has taught that the Savior understands what we feel.
Link Isaiah 53:3–5 to Alma 7:11–13. Then read Alma 7:11–13, looking for what Alma said Christ suffered.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about how deeply personal the Savior’s sacrifice was:
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 to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power. (“Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 90)
Do you know anyone who struggles with feeling like no one understands them? Use what you’ve learned from Isaiah, Alma, and Elder Bednar to write a response to them in your notebook. When you’re done, consider sharing what you’ve learned with them.
Option B
Why should I turn to Jesus instead of someone else?
If available, watch “He Will Give You Help” (4:43).
Based on the stories and scriptures you’ve studied today, answer the following in your notebook:
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Why is Jesus Christ the best person to turn to when you experience sorrow, grief, or pain?
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How have you or someone you know felt the Savior’s comfort while experiencing sorrow, grief, or pain?
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you feel gratitude for what the Savior has done for you through His Atonement.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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What you wrote for someone who feels no one understands them.
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Your notebook entry you created in option B.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?