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Introduction

The presentation of the prophesies given by the prophets of God in the Old Testament about the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is continued in this piece of writing. Here, the prophecy that Christ would die with the wicked is detailed.

Died with the Wicked

“He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off from the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death: because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand” (Isa 53:8-10).

Isaiah speaks of the death of Christ Jesus on the cross. He mentions that the Son of God would die with the wicked. This is spoken of as having been fulfilled in the Gospel according to St Luke, where it is written that, there were two other malefactors who were led to be crucified with Him at Calvary. One of them was on His right hand and the other on the left (Luk 23:32-33). This is a fulfillment of scripture. What need is there for Christ to die with sinners?

Dying for the Ungodly

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:6-8).

Jesus, dying with the wicked, is an indication that He is a friend to sinners and that he came to them as it is written about Him, that, He eats and drinks with publicans and sinners (Mk 2:16). He also welcomes sinners and eats with them (Luk 15:2). It has been recorded that one of the malefactors who was hanged with Jesus railed on Him, but the other, recognizing his sins, rebuked him. He asked Jesus to remember him when He enters His Kingdom of which Jesus answered in affirmative (Luk 23:39-43). Jesus has declared that He will have mercy because He has not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Mat 9:13, Mk 2:17, Luk 5:32).

Everyone at any stage of life, except the dead, has the opportunity to receive salvation if s/he would recognize their sins and accept Christ as their Savior. At the point of dying, little did we know that one still has a chance for him or her to receive Christ into their hearts. It is, therefore not too late to welcome Christ into your life. The soul of Christ was made an offering for sin, so He invites all sinners to come to His saving knowledge.

Conclusions

As testified by Prophet Isaiah, Christ Jesus was crucified with sinners. He offered His life as a sacrifice for their salvation, so He is the lover of sinners. He invites all persons both the good and the sinner to come to Him.

Prayer

May the Lord Jesus Christ give us the heart to be merciful to sinners and receive them as He would, rather than being judgmental and condemning them. AMEN!

Introduction

The narratives of the life of Jesus Christ is not complete without mentioning the suffering that He had to endure. The suffering and rejection of the Christ as prophesized by the Prophets are briefly discussed in this Newsletter.

Despised and Rejected

Isaiah while prophesying about Jesus, has this to say, that:

“He is despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgression, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed” (Isa 53:3-5).

Peter, in referring to the above scripture, has this to write, that, when Jesus was reviled, He did not revile back and in His suffering, He did not threaten, but He committed Himself to the only God who judges rightly. Peter adds that Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross so that as many of us that are dead to sins would live to righteousness in whose stripes we have been healed (1Pet 2:22-24). Notwithstanding the advantages of His coming, Jesus was vehemently rejected or disallowed by men (1Pet 2:4). It is, therefore, written: “The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner (Mat 21:42, Mar 8:31, Mar 12:10): this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” (Mat 21:42, Mar 12:11, Luk 20:17).

The Purpose of His Suffering

The prophecy of Isaiah, as detailed above, mentions the purpose of the suffering of Christ. In addition to that, Christ Jesus suffered for the world so that it would be an example to the believers to walk in His steps (1Pet 2:21). Paul writes that the church should consider the Christ who endured contradictions from sinners against himself so that they do not get wearied and faint in their minds (Heb 12:3). Believers, therefore, need to prepare their mind to accept that suffering forms part of their election as children of God. Christianity is not only `bread and butter` but suffering and rejection even from one´s own household. Jesus lamented that for his sake, “.. a man’s foes will be they of his own household” (Mat 10:36).

He also had to go through suffering and rejection so that scriptures or prophecies would be fulfilled. This is affirmed by Matthew when he mentioned that the suffering of Christ is to fulfill the prophesies given by Isaiah (Mat 8:17) and the other Prophets of God.

Conclusion

Suffering, rejection and chastisement form part of the inheritance of believers in Christ Jesus. Christ suffered for us that we might also suffer for others. Believers, therefore, need to be encouraged and strengthened as they go through suffering. Great is their reward if they faint not.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to endure suffering as we look up to you. In your holy name, we pray. AMEN!