For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isaiah 53:2-3

While the people of Israel expected a Messiah along the lines of a root of King David, Jesus’ life was anything but what was expected. The people of Israel were looking for a King to rescue them and set all things right again, defeating the enemies of Israel and establishing the throne of David, but…

Like a root out of dry ground, Jesus was born in humble surroundings and was raised in a town with no redeeming qualities (John 1:46). His appearance wasn’t majestic. He wore no crown or kingly robe.

Instead, in the end, Jesus was certainly “despised and rejected by men.”

Earlier Isaiah described Jesus’ condition during His crucifixion –

As many were astonished at you—
his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—

Isaiah 52:14

It was God’s plan of redemption that brought sorrow to Jesus and instead of looking to our Savior, even though we were not present at the time, in our sin we looked away just as the people avoid an uncomfortable sight.

Isaiah presents the suffering Messiah and we should remember His sacrifice for our sins.