Messianic Prophecy - One aspect of the book of Isaiah that makes it so popular is the wealth of prophecy it contains about the promised messiah.  And one of the most famous of all describes his suffering.

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him; and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:3-5, NIV)