Photo by Ismael Paramo on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? Mark 9:12
Jesus quoted the Old Testament in much of his teaching and dialogue. However, some today think the Old Testament is only about law, war, and retribution. That isn’t the case. Each book of the Old Testament points to Jesus.
Jesus asks our question during a conversation with Peter, James, and John immediately after the Transfiguration. Peter asks about the teaching that Elijah must return prior to the Messiah’s return. Jesus replies that he did come. John the Baptist came preaching the need for repentance and baptism, and teaching the Messiah was coming soon. Crowds of people flocked to him, but just as they rejected Jesus, the Pharisees and Scribes also rejected John.
The leaders of the Temple and teachers of the people were all convinced that the Messiah’s return would be in military victory and the re-establishment of Israel as a free nation. However, they hadn’t understood the Old Testament scripture properly. Prophecies Jesus pointed to in our question are Isaiah 53:3-9, Psalm 22:15-18 and Isaiah 50:5-6.
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 did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
9 And they made His grave with the wicked— but with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Isaiah 53:3-9
I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;
17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22:15-18
The Lord God has opened My ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away.
6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;
I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. Isaiah 50:5-6
Salvation through Jesus Christ was God’s plan. Jesus suffered and died for our sins. He willingly went to the cross, suffered the shame, pain, and cruelty to be a sacrifice for us. Everyone who believes will be saved.
This question has an easy answer if you know the scriptures. Whether a child of God or an atheist, God has us in the palm of His hand for protection, or judgment.
Contemplation: Did I know what the scriptures said about Jesus’s suffering and rejection?
