September 24 Notes Ready for Review

: 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

Unfortunately, modern Rabbis of Judaism believe that the “Suffering Servant” of 

 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.

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

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

, he is

,

,

, and “was like

.” 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!

: The question though is, “

The suffering is the “what” (and, for our good,) but the passage offers the “

” 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 “

” is an interesting one. In the Hebrew language, it means

or

.

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:

: 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.

: Surprise Communion.