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The Scriptures Must Be Fulfilled
In today's passage Jesus says that in Him the Scriptures will be fulfilled, "And He was numbered with the transgressors". This prophecy comes from Isaiah 53, specifically in verse 12 (click the link to read Isaiah 53 for context). What is Jesus talking about here? What is going on? The chapter that Jesus cites is part of what is usually called "The Song of the Suffering Servant". If you read the chapter, you'll find that you're probably very familiar with a lot of the verses. It is one of the clearest "Messianic" sections of the Old Testament, with some very important and amazing prophecies concerning Jesus. I know it's some extra work on top of today's reading, but it won't be wasted time, I assure you.
So why does Jesus cite this prophecy here? First of all, Jesus has already foretold His death, and this is yet another case of this, foretelling not only that He will die, but that He will be considered a criminal. But the rest of the passage clues us in to why Jesus says this specifically here. The time leading up to Jesus' death is upon them. From this point forward things will start to fall apart. Jesus is giving a warning to the disciples: I will be considered a criminal, and things are about to get VERY difficult for me and you. It is both a prophecy about His death and a warning. This is why Jesus tells them to prepare themselves.
Salvation is about to come to ALL nations, but at great cost. The kingdom of God is for the broken, persecuted, and suffering, and it is ruled by a Sacrificed King that was killed with thieves. God's ways are not our ways, clearly.
The Scriptures Must Be Fulfilled
In today's passage Jesus says that in Him the Scriptures will be fulfilled, "And He was numbered with the transgressors". This prophecy comes from Isaiah 53, specifically in verse 12 (click the link to read Isaiah 53 for context). What is Jesus talking about here? What is going on? The chapter that Jesus cites is part of what is usually called "The Song of the Suffering Servant". If you read the chapter, you'll find that you're probably very familiar with a lot of the verses. It is one of the clearest "Messianic" sections of the Old Testament, with some very important and amazing prophecies concerning Jesus. I know it's some extra work on top of today's reading, but it won't be wasted time, I assure you.
So why does Jesus cite this prophecy here? First of all, Jesus has already foretold His death, and this is yet another case of this, foretelling not only that He will die, but that He will be considered a criminal. But the rest of the passage clues us in to why Jesus says this specifically here. The time leading up to Jesus' death is upon them. From this point forward things will start to fall apart. Jesus is giving a warning to the disciples: I will be considered a criminal, and things are about to get VERY difficult for me and you. It is both a prophecy about His death and a warning. This is why Jesus tells them to prepare themselves.
Salvation is about to come to ALL nations, but at great cost. The kingdom of God is for the broken, persecuted, and suffering, and it is ruled by a Sacrificed King that was killed with thieves. God's ways are not our ways, clearly.
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