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!