Imagine a boy shooting at the side of a barn. After each shot, he walks up and draws a bullseye around wherever the bullet landed. From a distance, it looks like perfect accuracy—but in reality, the target was drawn after the fact.

This is known as the “Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy.”

Many skeptics assume Christianity works the same way. They believe the early Christians looked back at Jesus’ life and then reshaped the story to make Him appear to fulfill prophecy. In their view, the target was drawn after the shot.

But Isaiah 53 presents a serious problem for that idea.

Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah described a coming Servant who would suffer, die for the sins of others, and somehow live again. The target wasn’t drawn after the shot—the target was already there.

The death and resurrection of Jesus was always part of God’s plan.

And in Isaiah 53:3–12, we see three remarkable truths about this promised Messiah.

1. Jesus Is the Suffering Servant

Isaiah describes a man who would be despised, rejected, and acquainted with grief. He would be falsely accused, oppressed, and led like a lamb to the slaughter.

Centuries later, the Gospels show us this exact scene unfolding in the life of Jesus. He was betrayed by a close friend, abandoned by His disciples, falsely accused by religious leaders, and condemned by a Roman governor who knew He was innocent.

Isaiah even says the Servant would be “pierced.” At the time this was written, Roman crucifixion had not yet been invented. And yet the language fits perfectly with the nails driven through Jesus’ hands and feet and the spear thrust into His side.

Even more striking is how the Servant responds. He does not defend Himself. He remains silent before His accusers. Not because He is guilty—but because His suffering was intentional.

The cross was not an accident. It was the plan.

2. Jesus Is the Substitutionary Sacrifice

Isaiah does not only tell us how the Servant would die—he tells us why.

Again and again, the prophet emphasizes that the Servant would suffer in the place of others. He would bear griefs, carry sorrows, be pierced for transgressions, and crushed for iniquities. The Lord would lay on Him the sin of us all.

This reveals two critical truths.

First, we are all sinners. When measured against God’s standard—not against other people—we fall short in countless ways. Our sin is not small, and it is not occasional. It is constant and pervasive.

Second, sin carries a real penalty. Because we have sinned against a holy and infinitely valuable God, the consequence is not minor. It is eternal separation from Him.

That is why the suffering described in Isaiah 53 is so severe. The Servant is enduring the judgment our sins deserve.

And yet, this is where the good news shines.

Jesus did not suffer for His own sin. He suffered for ours.

He lived the life we could not live and died the death we deserve. His death was not a tragic mistake or a loss of control. Isaiah says plainly: “It was the will of the Lord to crush him.”

The cross was planned. And it was purposeful.

3. Jesus Is the Risen Savior

If Isaiah 53 ended with death, it would still be remarkable. But it doesn’t.

In the final verses, we see something even more astonishing: the Servant who dies will somehow live again.

Isaiah says that after making an offering for guilt, “he shall see his offspring.” Dead men do not see. Yet this Servant does.

He says the Servant will “prolong his days.” But death ends a person’s days. Somehow, this Servant’s life continues.

He says the Servant will see the results of His suffering and be satisfied. But the dead do not experience satisfaction. Only the living do.

He even describes the Servant continuing to work—bearing sin and interceding for others. That is not something a dead man can do.

All of this points to one unavoidable conclusion: The Servant will rise.

Seven hundred years before the empty tomb, Isaiah foretold it. The resurrection was not a later invention. It was part of God’s plan all along.

And history confirms it.

In 1947, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls included a copy of Isaiah written long before the time of Jesus. And Isaiah 53 was already there—unchanged.

The target was drawn long before the shot.

The Question for Us

If Isaiah 53 is true, then the question is no longer whether Jesus fulfilled prophecy. The question is how we will respond to Him.

For those who already believe, this passage strengthens confidence. If God planned the cross and resurrection centuries in advance, we can trust Him with every detail of our lives.

But for those who have not yet believed, this passage is an invitation.

Jesus has done everything necessary for your salvation. Your sin can be forgiven. Your guilt can be removed. Your future can be secured.

Not because you have lived a perfect life—but because Jesus has lived, died, and risen in your place.

The resurrection was not an accident.

It was always the plan.