We are quickly approaching Passover (Jewish Pesach is March 30-April 7). Let’s reflect on the theme. Isaiah prophesied of the “suffering servant”:
“He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief. When you 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.
11 He shall see the labor of his soul, and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous servant shall justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul unto death, and he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” – Isaiah 53:9-12
This prophecy of the “suffering servant” states that he was counted among sinners, yet he had done no wrong. A little like with Joseph when he was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused and imprisoned in Egypt, only to bring salvation to Israel and the whole world! Joseph is a foreshadow of the suffering Messiah.
Sometimes we hear that the “suffering servant” refers to the nation of Israel. However, that’s not possible, even if Israel suffered a lot throughout the history. Why is that not possible?
Because, “…he was wounded for our transgressions,” (Isaiah 53:5) and “…for the transgressions of my people he was stricken” (Isaiah 53:8). “My people” refers to Israel. He and my people cannot be one and the same. And even if, we would read: “…for the transgressions of Israel, Israel was stricken.” That’s possible, but we read in verse 11 that: “My righteous servant shall justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities.” A sinner certainly can and will suffer the consequences of his/hers own sins, but that will not help anybody else. The “suffering servant” cannot be righteous and sinner at the same time.
We read, on the one hand: “We all like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way;” and on the other hand: “…and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
This prophecy speaks of Messiah!
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