Introduction
: Perhaps the greatest of all Messianic prophecies in the Tanakh (the Hebrew Scriptures / the Old Testament) concerning the advent of the Jewish Messiah is found in the 53rd chapter of the prophet Isaiah. This section of the Prophets, also known as the “Suffering Servant,” has been long understood by the historical Rabbis of Judaism to speak of the Redeemer who will one day come to Zion.
The great (Rambam) Rabbi Moses Maimonides (was a Jewish rabbi, physician, and philosopher. He was born in Spain, but spent most of his life in Egypt) says
:
“What is the manner of Messiah’s advent….there shall rise up one of whom none have known before, and signs and wonders which they shall see performed by him will be the proofs of his true origin; for the Almighty, where he declares to us his mind upon this matter, says, `Behold a man whose name is the Branch, and he shall branch forth out of his place’ (
Zechariah 6:12
). And Isaiah speaks similarly of the time when he shall appear, without father or mother or family being known, He came up as a sucker before him, and as a root out of dry earth, etc….in the words of Isaiah, when describing the manner in which kings will harken to him, At him kings will shut their mouth; for that which had not been told them have they seen, and that which they had not heard they have perceived.
“
Unfortunately, modern Rabbis of Judaism believe that the “Suffering Servant” of
Isaiah 53
refers perhaps to Israel, or to Isaiah himself, or even Moses or another of the Jewish prophets. But Isaiah is clear – he speaks of the Messiah, as many ancient rabbis concluded.
We who are of Christian faith understand, know and believe that Jesus had to die for the sins of humanity.
What was prophesied/promised Suffering Servant?
In much of modern media, Jesus is portrayed significantly different than Isaiah’s depiction of the Messiah. In our movies (and sometimes in our own minds), Jesus is shown in a sanitized, sappy Hallmark movie version. He is a Hippie prancing around the countryside with perfect hair and a winning smile. However, Isaiah
53:2
describes as quite contrary to that caricature of the Christ. He was not impressive, not majestic, and had “no appearance that we should desire Him.
The Savior we come to know as Jesus from Nazareth was the One whose life fulfills these verses. In
verse 3
, he is
despised
,
rejected
,
devalued
, and “was like
someone people turned away from
.” With not much to appreciate to eye, it seemed natural for the world to discard Him. For the Suffering Savior, dismissal would be the gut-level reaction of many. And yet, He presses on to deliver the gift of atonement.
The bulk of chapter 53 give us devastating detail after detail of what would happen to the savior. It describes it with the ancient poetic language that is delivered like deathblows.
Isaiah paints a picture of one who would suffer great anguish!
Question
: The question though is, “
why did he have to suffer?”
The suffering is the “what” (and, for our good,) but the passage offers the “
why
” as well.
The Messiah does not appear in the flesh to simply give us a moral example or help us out by showing what sacrificial love looks like. Instead the “why” is so much greater.
The word “
iniquity
” is an interesting one. In the Hebrew language, it means
moral evil
or
perversity
.
Jesus arrives on Earth to suffer the punishment due to us for our rebellion so that we can be reconciled to our perfect God.
In all of this, there is a great mystery for us. In the passage, we find this phrase:
“Yet the LORD was pleased to crush Him severely.”
Application
: It jars our souls to think that the Father is somehow gleeful to see the Son come under the crushing weight of wrath against sin. And we should be jarred by such a thought because He is not. The pleasure found in delivering suffering to the Savior is due to His great love for those being saved.
Conclusion
: Surprise Communion.
The Child of Promise
Introduction: My three-week Christmas messages begin with a prophecy about a Christmas to come. Scholars believe that Jesus fulfilled between 300 and 570 prophecies in the Old Testament: Scholars estimate that there are between 200 and 400 prophecies in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled as the Messiah. Some scholars believe there are more than…
The Joy of Happiness
I Thess. 5:18 Introduction: Last week I attempted to share and sort out the difference between thankful and grateful and how they are found among the abundant blessings we have from the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ‘Always be joyful (Rejoice always). 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s…
Thankful, Grateful and Blessed
Introduction: Thanksgiving – ‘It’s the most time of the year.’ Grateful and thankful are close synonyms that can both some differences between the two: One is active and the other is passive. State of being Gratitude is a mindset that’s a part of who you are, while thankfulness is the expression of that feeling. Focus…
The Church & Ministry
Kim Garcia, our Children’s Pastor, will discuss the place, role, and significance of those who serve in ministry within their church.
Pure Ministry
Introduction: As we have taken the time to honour our Pastors (and thank you), I invite you to look at 1 Thessalonians 2 with me. I. Paul’s Assessment (of Pure Ministry) – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2a II. Paul’s Advantage (of Pure Ministry) – 1 Thess. 2:2b III. Paul’s (Ministries) Integrity – 1 Thess. 2:3-6 IV. Paul’s…
Word to the Wise
Introduction: Let me finish my thoughts on Matthew 8-10. Jesus is moved for the people and to send disciples/others into the whitened harvest field. Jesus does give additional instructions and awareness of lays before them. Question: Why did Jesus not send the disciples to Gentiles and Samaritans? In Romans 1:16 Paul writes, “I am not…
Author and Authorization
Matthew 10:1-15 Introduction: This is where I left off last week. Because there is a ripen harvest prepared by God himself… Jesus says, 9:38, ‘So pray, to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into the fields.’ Pray =Ask =Send = thrust forth – ‘The harvest is…
The Lost – A Whitened Harvest
Introduction: Last week I spoke about what the oil running down Aaron’s beard was all about. It was about the separation of objects and especially people for God’s use. Transition: In the Book of Matthew, after Jesus taught about matters like praying, not judging others, the ‘golden rule’, the problem with worrying, and some other…
Oil on Aaron’s Beard
Psalm 133:1-2; Lev. 8:10-12 Introduction: Some of you may have heard or studied this image in scripture of oil soaking Aaron’s beard and dripping down all the way to his toes. This comes from Psalm 133:1-2 & Leviticus 8:10-12. I sensed the Lord was putting this in my heart and mind and what the significance…