Category: Newsletter

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!

 

 

Introduction

“For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2Pet 1:21). This makes the testimonies of the Prophets about the Messiah very credible. In this piece of writing, Jesus´ entry to Jerusalem as prophesied by the Holy Prophets of God is discussed.

The Palm Sunday

Jesus´ entry to Jerusalem, referred to as Palm Sunday,  was first predicted by the Prophets of God. It is written in the book of Zechariah:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh to thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zech 9:9).

The above prophecy was also given in the book of Psalms, where it is written, “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD” (Psa 118:26).

This above prophecy was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. As John writes, when many people who had come for the feast of the Passover heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took branches of palm tree and went to meet Him as they cried out Hosanna; blessed is the King of the Jews that comes in the name of the Lord (Joh 12:12-13). It is added that Jesus when He had found a young ass, He sat on it as had already been declared by Zechariah:

“Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. These things his disciples understood not at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written concerning him and that they had done these things to him” (Joh 12:15-16). The fulfillment of Zechariah´s prophecy has also been recorded in the books of Mark 11:9-11 and in Luke 19:32-39). The Testimony of the Prophets and the Law are trustworthy and they are sufficient to reveal Christ Jesus as the Savior of the world. The Apostle, therefore, writes: “Having, therefore, obtained help from God, I continue to this day, testifying both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come” (Acts 26:22). Preachers should, therefore, preach nothing except that which is written in the Holy Scriptures.

Conclusion

The Prophets of God only declared that which was revealed to them by God. This explains why their prophecies and declarations did not fail. The word of God is true. It should, therefore, be trusted and depended on. Long before Christ was born, it was said that He would enter Jerusalem in a manner described above and it did happen as exactly prophesied.

Prayer: Dear Lord, may your sure word ever live in our spirits and help us to believe in your only true Son through whom we receive your salvation. In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN!