August 15, 2002, Vol.1, No.14.

Randy Harshbarger

via The Preceptor Magazine

October, 1985

Part 2

Of course, any discussion of prophecy in regard to the suffering of Christ must include a look at Isaiah chapter fifty-three. Verse after verse (some suggest every verse) points to the time when Jesus would come and die for all men. From verse 1, "Who hath believed our report? and to who is the arm of the Lord revealed?" The Jews would not accept Christ, in spite of His miracles, signs, and wonders, i.e.. His many efforts to produce faith in Him as the Son of God (cf. Jn. 20:30,31). From Isaiah 53:2 we read:

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

This verse speaks of the contempt many had for Jesus. Growing up as a tender plant - silently, without any fanfare or pomp. Jesus had a lowly family background, for what good thing could ever come out of Nazareth (cf. Jn. 1:46). Verse 3 from the prophet Isaiah, "He is despised and rejected of men..." Who can forget the taunting words of the Jews, "Crucify him, crucify him." (Matt. 27:22,23) Isaiah 53:4,5 speak of the suffering Jesus endured, the punishment Jesus endured because we are sinners (cf. 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 4:15; Eph. 2:14; Col 1:20-22). Our iniquities were laid on Him (Isa. 53:6); as a lamb being led to the slaughter (Isa. 53:7), Jesus said, "Thy will be done." (Mk. 14:36; I Pet. 2:23) Jesus was accused, tried, and condemned being, "...cut off out of the land of the living...." (Isa. 53:8) Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Matt. 27:38), and was buried in a borrowed tomb (Matt. 27:57-60). As the prophet says: "And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death...." (Isa. 53:9) It was the Father’s will that Jesus die (Isa. 53:10); now the world had a perfect sacrifice for sin. By the death of Christ, men may be justified from sin, "...for he shall bear their iniquities." (Isa. 53:11) But, after the death of Christ there was victory: "Therefore, will I divide him a portion with the great...." (Isa. 53:12) Blessings are found in Christ and are available to all who will accept Him. What a beautiful chapter Isaiah fifty-three is! The New Testament passage that comes to mind in regard to Isaiah fifty-three is Acts Eight. Here, Philip the evangelist in preaching to the Ethiopian eunuch makes application of Isaiah’s words, as he preached Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Clearly what Isaiah said must be applied to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world!

After the suffering of the cross, as Peter says (1 Pet. 1:10-12), there was glory. Thank God, that this is true! Again, Old Testament prophecies point to the glory that came to Christ, as He moved away from the cross. As the Psalmist says, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psa. 110:4) The Hebrew writer makes use of this prophecy (Heb. 5:5,6). The Jewish priesthood ended but Christ’s continues. Psalm 68:18 says:

The prophet looks forward to the time of Christ’s ascension, being "glorified with the glory that I had with Thee before the world was." (cf. Jn. 17) Daniel the prophet said in Daniel 7:13,14:

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Truly Daniel looks prophetically to the time when the Father,

...raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church.... (Eph. 1:20-22)

Paul tells us:

Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11)

Jesus suffered but after that suffering was raised from the dead, ascending back to the Father’s right hand, being crowned with glory and honor, suffering first, but then glory, esteem, and recognition! Is it any wonder that the prophets of old desired to know more concerning the salvation and grace to come, that their messages spoke of? On every hand Jesus fully and adequately fulfills what the Old Testament prophets spoke about in regard to Him. He is the "fulfillment of the Law and prophets." He is who He said He was - the Son of God! Let us be impressed with the cross - its suffering and glory. Let us read the prophets of old as they looked to the time when the greatest Prophet of all would come to this earth, live among and finally die for mankind. The Christ of prophecy is the Christ of our salvation! The Christ of prophecy is the one who so completely fills every void in our lives! The Christ of prophecy is indeed who Peter and the Ethiopian eunuch said He was - the Son of the Living God! Let us be impressed that not one single time did Jesus ever fail to fulfill the many prophecies spoken about Him. Thank God that Jesus made possible the "grace to come." He suffered but then was glorified. Let us live for the Lord now; perhaps suffering and persecution will come to us. But then