This week's Bible Study - December 2, 2006
Recognizing the Savior
 Background Scripture:
Isaiah 53:1-12
Quote of the Week:
“[Christ] was willing to suffer wrongs and to be despised, and do you dare to complain of anything?”
-- Thomas Kempis
In this holiday season, you will find some people that are more open to hearing the true story of Christmas. As our society has changed, some have tried to get rid of the true meaning of Christmas and you'll see more and more companies refusing to use the word 'Christmas'. It would appear that our society doesn't want to offend anyone, because of their beliefs, but in doing so, they are offending many believers.
There are plenty of reasons to believe in Jesus Christ as the son of God. He is an historical figure - so many will call him a great teacher. However, he is much more than that. One of the most convincing proofs that Jesus is the promised Savior is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. For any person who is willing to take a honest look at the Bible, there are plenty of reasons to believe.
This passage speaks of a suffering servant. How do you feel when others are suffering? Suffering can be caused by a number of things, but what is different when those who are suffering are suffering unjustly? Usually, those suffering unjustly are those who are weak and cannot defend themselves. This is certainly not what the Jews were expecting with the Messiah. They expected a king - and it was difficult, if not impossible for them to change their expectations.
God's word is really pretty clear, but many people have a hard time understanding it. However, usually it is because of unwillingness to spend the time to understand. As has been discussed many times before, we tend to put a lot more time into our jobs or the newspaper or our favorite authors or movies or whatever.
God's word is amazing. It speaks at such a depth that we need the help of the Holy Spirit to understand its true meaning. Jesus spoke in parables that could be interpreted in many ways, but had a specific meaning when he spoke. After you know the key, it makes sense. Until that point, they can be hard to understand. Jesus told his disciples the meaning. Today, the Holy Spirit works to share the meaning of God's word.
This is one of many prophecies that speak of Jesus Christ. Again, this is one of the main proofs of Christianity. Suffice it to say that there is much more that could be said on the prophecies. This passage speaks of one to come that would come without fanfare. He would have no beauty or majesty that would attract us to him. He was not born into royalty. He was not born as a celebrity. There would be nothing about the man himself that would cause others to look at him. He would be despised and rejected. He would be familiar with suffering. He would be a man without esteem.
This prophecy speaks of one like Jesus. He was born in a manger in a town that was full of visitors. Any other room in that town would have been more notorious. He was not born into political power. He was not born into religious power. There was nothing about Jesus that caused people to desire him. He lived a normal life and as began his ministry, people had a hard time believing that a man from his town of Nazareth could be 'anybody'. Certainly Jesus was less than impressive by worldly standards, but he was right where God wanted him to be.
He did have a time of being admired by others, as a teacher who taught with authority. But, as he shared who he was as the Messiah - and it didn't match with what they thought the Messiah would be - they turned against him. Then, he knew suffering and rejection.
This man took our sins upon himself. The Bible is clearly a remarkable book. Just like the prophecies, there is much about the Bible that could be said. What we learn in the Bible is that all people have sinned, falling short of God's plan for each of us. We also learn that there is a penalty required. God also provided a means for cleansing, in the shedding of blood. There were systems of sacrifices - but they were temporary.
What did Jesus do for us? He lived a perfect life, and he was put to death for nothing that he did. This was God's way to give us, as humans, a way to take care of our sins. He never changed and he always required payment. By his wounds, by his death - we are healed. Who is we - and who is benefited by what Jesus did? Jesus death is for all of us. Not just for you and I who read this lesson - and not just for those who are at church on Sunday.
Every person on earth has gone astray - there are none that have lived the clean life. Sure, some seem to be further away from God than others, but none of us are holy. We all have gone our own way at one point or another. On the Lord, our iniquity - from each of us - is laid upon him. God has provided the way for redemption and salvation, but it requires a decision from each of us.
When Jesus was on the cross, did anyone see him as the victor? Certainly not, as they even saw him not coming down as a proof of fraud. They were expecting much more. Jesus came and died for our sins. Our sin is not just a matter of opinion - it is our reality. God can't just ignore sin - he is a just and holy God.
The prophecy continues about the man who was oppressed and afflicted. It was unjust, but he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to slaughter, this man was silent and did put up a fight. You can imagine just about any of us that is falsely accused - trying to state our case and claim our innocence. There were none that stood up for him - they watched it happen, feeling sorrow, but concerned for their own safety. Although there was no deceit in his mouth, he was executed as a feared criminal.
This describes the plight of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even those who choose not to believe in the deity of Christ know of the historicity of these events. Jesus was an historical figure and it is well known that he did not put up a fight in death. Those who confronted him tried to make him fight, but it was not so. Anyone who knows of the life and death of Jesus Christ can easily see the parallel with this passage.
Jesus took what was given - not like a man, who would fight back. Could you have stayed silent? Could you endure the mocking? Each of us is so easily sidetracked. Jesus put everything in God's hands. He knew his mission and stuck to it. It would seem that he was cut off from the world. He had no family line, no offspring. You would think that the world would have forgotten him. However, Jesus has become the most influential man in history. Millions of people have found him - this man who had no training, came from an obscure hometown and only was in ministry for three years.
Some thought that they held the life of Jesus in their hands. If he just spoke, they could keep him from death. However, they had no clue. It was the will of the Lord that Jesus would suffer, but not for the sake of suffering. God had a plan that Jesus would be the offering that would suffice the entire world. The end did not come with the death of Jesus Christ. After the suffering, he would see the light of life and be satisfied. By his righteous life and sinless death, he would justify many, bearing their iniquities.
God's will was accomplished through what appeared to be sure defeat. Can you imagine a victory coming in such a way? There were no weapons used. Neither oppression nor control was used. Jesus was willing to stand in a way that no man could stand, and in doing so, life was brought to millions of people.
Closing
It is clear that this passage parallels the life of Jesus Christ. However, what is more compelling is that this passage was written many generations before the life of Christ. This passage describes no other person that has lived. Add to this the other prophecies that speak of Christ and it makes the case for Christianity much stronger. We are not a feeble minded group of people that are looking for a crutch in life. Our belief is well founded.
More than anything, Jesus was concerned about being where God wanted him to be. We get caught up in seeking worldly treasures and other pursuits. However, Jesus stuck to his mission and was on track to make it successful, despite any obstacles. What a message to each of us.
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