An Encouraging Word: The Suffering Servant

During their Roman occupation, the people of Israel longed for a conquering Messiah. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the Sunday before His death, they welcomed Him as King. But that celebration was short-lived.

Four days later He was arrested. Five days later He endured untold agony, both before and during His crucifixion. Six days later He was dead and in a grave. But seven days later, it all made sense!

The mixed signals of Jesus confounded the people in Jerusalem. Traditionally a king who defeated his enemy rode into the conquered city on a war horse. But Jesus? He entered riding a lowly donkey’s colt.

There was no confusion in what Jesus did. Over and over again, His actions and words completely fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. Not as a King overthrowing a worldly government, but as a suffering servant.

In Isaiah 50:4, the Suffering Servant would speak words bringing satisfaction and instruction.

In a season of worry, exhaustion, and stress, Jesus declared, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Isaiah 50 also predicted that the Suffering Servant would help us understand. He opens ears to God’s truth (verse 5). He did not rebel or turn away from God’s will (verse 5). Even if He was beaten, or tortured, or mocked? Yes (verse 6). Ultimately He would be vindicated. He canceled all charges against us by bearing them in our place (verses 7-9).

The New Testament paints a clear picture of how Jesus fulfilled these predictions of Messiah. On Sunday of that week the crowd joyfully shouted, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9). On Friday morning, in front of the Roman Governor Pilate, they now demanded His blood, shouting “Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:22). They repeated the same words a second time (Matthew 27:23). And they took full responsibility for their action (Matthew 27:25).

Pilate was amazed at Jesus’s quiet strength in the midst of such a mob (Matthew 27:14). The Governor’s wife, troubled by a dream, sent a message to him: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him” (Matthew 27:19).

Pilate agreed that Jesus was an innocent man and tried to spare His life. Ultimately he washed his hands of the matter and let the mob have its way before a full-fledged riot broke out. (Matthew 27 23-26).

Next came the beatings, the torture, and the mockery, all predicted in Isaiah 50 and 53. But that wasn’t enough. “THEN (emphasis mine) they led Him away to crucify Him” (Matthew 27:31).

Can you picture it? Can you feel it? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Sometimes it causes me to tremble. Jesus Christ died on a cross meant for someone else. It was meant for me. And it was meant for you. Afterward, He was buried. But He arose! This suffering servant died so we could live. May this Holy Week affirm Jesus as the Suffering Servant, the King of Kings, and our Lord!

Tom Cash is the senior minister at First Church of Christ in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He also serves as Chaplain for Hospice of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. On Facebook he is known as Yooper Pastor and Yooper Pasty.

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: An Encouraging Word: The Suffering Servant