Wednesday: The Sufferings of the Son of Man
Read Isaiah 53:1–6. What does this tell us about the sufferings of the Lord on the cross?
Isaiah 53:4 said that Jesus bore our griefs and sorrows. That must include Job’s griefs and sorrows, as well. And not just Job’s but the whole world’s. It was for the sin of all humans who ever lived that Jesus died on the cross.
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So, only at the cross can the book of Job be put in proper perspective. Here we have the same God who revealed Himself to Job—the God who teaches the eagle to fly, the God who binds the quarks—suffering more than any human being, even Job, ever suffered or could suffer. The grief and sorrows that we know individually, He assumed corporately; no one, then, can lecture God on suffering, not when He in humanity bore in Himself the full brunt of all the suffering that sin has spread around the globe. We know only our own griefs, only our own sorrows; at the cross, Jesus experienced them all.
The God who asked Job, “ ‘Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?’ ” (Job 38:33, NKJV) becomes more incredible when we realize that though He created the “ ‘ordinances of heaven,’ ” He also took upon Himself earthly flesh and in that flesh died so that He “might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14, NKJV).
Viewed through the Cross, the book of Job makes more sense than it does without it, because the Cross answers many questions that the book leaves unanswered. And the biggest question of all deals with how fair it is for God to be up in heaven while Job on earth is forced to suffer as he does, all in order to help refute Satan’s charges. The Cross shows that no matter how badly Job or any human being suffers in this world, our Lord voluntarily suffered so much worse than any of us could, all in order to give us the hope and promise of salvation.
| Job saw God as Creator; after the cross, we see Him as Creator and Redeemer, or particularly, the Creator who became our Redeemer (Phil. 2:6–8). And to do that, He had to suffer from sin in ways that no human being, Job included, would or could ever suffer. Thus, like Job, only more so, what can we do before such a sight but exclaim: “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6, NKJV)? |
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How over whelming the cost of our redemption was and still is and the toughest part for God is how little appreciated it is to those it was for. I sure am going to be glad when it is finally over. Yet God will not be that glad wishing more time could bring more of us over the line.
Isaiah 53:4 said that Jesus bore our griefs and sorrows. That must include Job’s griefs and sorrows, as well. And not just Job’s but the whole world’s. It was for the sin of all humans who ever lived that Jesus died on the cross.
now my question is: if the above statement is to be true, then how do the people who lived and died in the old testament find rescue in the blood of Jesus when they used animal's blood for their sins to be forgiven?
my second question: do the people of old testament stand the same opportunity to us of the new testament? please shade more light I'm stuck on this item
Jesus was promised before the foundation of the world and in Genesis 3 He would bruise satans head.
When in the old testament the people made sacrifices they were pointing to Jesus.
At the cross He fulfilled the penalty of death to all and completed the substitution of the sacrificial lamb.
The lambs before Jesus, were only object lessons pointing them to the only one that would be able to save them. The lamb Abel sacrificed was a forshadow of the one to come. John the Baptist said in John 1:29; "behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world." Past present and future. That is while in Hebrew it says, that by one mans sin entered the world and all have sin but by one man's righteousness shall many be saved.
They were looking forward to the cross in faith, we are looking back at the cross. Secondly, if they did not have the same opportunity as us, then Satan's accusations would have been true. They had exactly the same opportunities for salvation as we have.
Revelation 13:8 says Jesus was slain before the foundations of the world, John 1:29 John says 'behold the lamb of God that take away the sins of the world. Now to the 1st question
Genesis 3 - an animal sacrifice to cleanse the sin of a man
Exodus 12- animal sacrifice to cleanse the sins of a family
Exodus 30 and Leviticus 16:3-34 - An animal sacrifice to cleanse the sins nation.
John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God, is sacrificed, to cleanse the sins of the whole world.
Now evidently the animal sacrifices prefigured Christ, no wonder Christ also is called the lamb. But in Hebrews 8,9 Paul says the blood of animals could not save a man even then unless established in faith of the coming Savior. So it always have been and will be the blood of Christ alone that takes away the sins of the World.Like insurance is paid prior to an accident, Christ blood before the foundations of earth was already in store least humans fall into sin. On Calvary was a claim paid in full for the losses incurred due to sin. Hope this might help a little
This seems an opportune time to question how often we think of YEHOVAH's foreknowledge and the ability to constantly"pre-experience" ALL events of the incarnation - amazing love for me/all!
Hi Auditor,
Thanks for Your concern. I want to say that the people who lived in the old testament we're not left out in the plan of salvation.The sanctuary system was a perfect language of salvation for then, the Lamb without blemish that was to be sacrificed on the day of atonement
symbosed Christ and the blood sprinkled was a similitude of Christ blood. Though, this lamb couldn't perfectly take away the sins of israelites, therefore, it was a TYPE which finally in the new testament met the ANTITYPE by the coming of Christ whose death on the cross perfectly removes our sin (Heb 9:20-28).
So,no generation is left out, the new testament system of salvation through Jesus is a reflection of the sanctuary system in the old testament.
Simeon, I Love the last part of what you said no generation is left out,
We once had a Pastor say " The Sanctuary Moves"
Praise God
It is indeed wonderful that God was so merciful He made all the provisions and no generations will be left out. Glory and praise to Almighty God.
Silutombi,
The first two chapters of the bible depicts the earth without sin and the last two chapters likewise shows the earth made new. The third chapter of the bible shows the entrance of sin and likewise the last but two chapters show the eradication of sin. Now, the chapters in between show how relentlessly God is reconciling man to Himself.
In the old testament God used types/symbols/figures to represent Christ as a substitute. Killing of unblemished lamb pointed to Christ whose advent is pronounced in the new testament. The blood of the slain lamb prefigured the blood of Christ and the lamb prefigured Christ Himself. This is how God Himself devised a plan of redemption for the people who live before the cross.
I don't know what you mean by saying "do the people of old testament stand the same opportunity as us of the new testament chance" I guess you mean in terms of salvation. If this is what you mean, yes they do. God is the same yesterday today and tomorrow. He does not change neither does He has different laws/commands to different people. We are all justified or bought by same blood. It is same God who does not change. In Him there is no variation- Jam 1:17
Some may wonder how Jesus’ suffered more than any man on earth, considering some of the horrific tortures and pain some men and women have been made to suffer here on earth.
This would include martyrs and patients with diseases that cause months or even years of physical anguish and pain, almost beyond endurance. It boggles the mind the amount of torture our bodies and minds can and have endured.
Jesus’ unique position in the universe, however, caused Him to experience not just His own suffering, but the corporate pain and suffering of all the world for all time.All the guilt and pain of an individual’s lifetime, multiplied by all the people who have ever lived or will live, was on His shoulders. And He had done nothing to deserve even an ounce of this pain.
No wonder Job was awestruck and repented so readily, when confronted with the thought of a sinless, loving Messiah.
Philippians 2:5-8 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men,And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." and Job 42:6......" Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes".
How necessary was humility for the sacrifice Jesus made for us? Can we ever come to God without the same attitude of humility as the driving force of our love, just like Job did in the end?
i wish to thank you brethren for the endless effort of systematic and articulation of spiritual matters.its very clear now for me once more i thank you veeeeery much!
This helps me understand the text, All who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12
It even makes the time of trouble clearer. We who love and serve God all have a part to play in refuting Satantic claims about God.
Job prefigured Christ on a small scale.[/size]
Upright, and blameless
Job 2:3 "Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil?"
Jesus was without sin
Hebrews 7:26 "Jesus "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,"
Job was very rich, but lost it all in the disasters
Jesus, infinitely rich but set it all aside.
11 Cor. 8:9 "Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,that ye through his poverty might be rich."
Job was once honored and held in high esteem.
Job 29:7-11 When I went out to the gate through the city...the aged arose, and stood up. The princes refrained talking...When they heard m], then they blessed me; (21)Unto me they gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel."
Christ was highly honored in the courts of heaven
Rev. 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things,
Job lost the support of his family.
Job 19:13 "He has put my brethren far from me, and my acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
(14) My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. (15) They that dwell in my house, ..count me for a stranger"
Jesus family didn't always support Him.
John 7:5 7:5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. [/td][/tr]
Job had three friends who failed him in the crucial time.
Job 3:11 "Job's three friends...Eliphaz ..Bildad ..and Zophar...come to mourn with him and to comfort him." But their words held no comfort. He had to endure the dark days alone.
Jesus three closest disciples Peter, James and John.
Matt. 26:38 "Watch with Me" Jesus asks them in the garden of Gethsemany. They sleep.
Matt. 26:56 "Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled." when the mob took Jesus. Jesus had to walk the dark road alone.
Job was falsely accused of grievous sin. His "comforter' states:
Job 22:5 "Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?"
This is followed by a whole list of false accusations.
Jesus is called a sinner by religious leaders.
John 9:24 "we know that this man is a sinner."
And totally falsely accused at the mockery of a trial that led to His crucifixion.
In his "hour of trial" Job was mocked by the multitudes".
Job 30:1 "But now they that are younger than I have me in derision...
(10)They abhor me, they flee far from me..(12)the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me"
In His "hour of trial" Jesus was mocked by the multitudes.
Matt. 27:29 "They bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!"
The religious leaders mocked Him as He hung on the cross.
They spit in Job's face
Job 30:12 "They spare not to spit in my face."
They spat in Jesus face.
Matt. 27:30 "And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head."
Job felt forsaken of God
Job 31:35 "Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is,
that the Almighty would answer me.
Jesus felt forsaken of God
Matt. 27:46 "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me?"
Job clung by faith to God
Job "19:25-26 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though the worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"
Jesus clung by faith to God the Father.
During the very height of His agony He could assure the repentant thief of paradise with Him.
There are many more parallels.
However, compared to Christ, Job's ordeal was on a small scale.
Jesus suffered for the world, He bore the sins of the world, He bore the full fury of Satan, ---there are marked differences!
Job didn't bear the sins of the world, and Satan was still restrained and couldn't do his worst, Job was just an example in the great controversy, but it does help us understand more about the great controversy.