Study Fifteen: Portrait of Jesus Christ ( Part 2)

Introduction: The Apostle Peter wrote concerning the Prophets of the Old Testament that the Spirit of Christ within them predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glory that was to follow ( 1. Peter 1:10-11). At times, these prophets spoke in the first person of going through experiences that never actually happened to them but that did happen later in the life of Jesus. They described first the sufferings of Christ (Messiah) and then the eternal glory into which He was to enter. Such predictions occur most frequently in the Psalms of David and in Isaiah. This study contains various examples.

Memory Work: Isaiah 53:4-5

“ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Study Questions and Answers

D. MESSIAH”S SUFFERINGS:

38. Was Messiah to be accepted or Rejected by His own people ( Isa.53:1-3)? He was to be rejected.
39. Did Israel as a nation accept or reject Jesus? ( John 1:11; 12:37-38) They rejected Him.
40. By what kind of person was Messiah to be betrayed? (Ps.41:9) He was betrayed by a familiar ( a close) friend.
41. By whom was Jesus betrayed? ( Mark 14:10) . Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
42. Was this man a friend of Jesus? ( Matt.26:47,50) Yes. This man Judas Iscariot was a friend of Jesus. Jesus called him friend.
43. For what price was Messiah to be betrayed? ( Zech.11;12) They weighed for His price thirty pieces of silver. They insulted Him by offering Him the price of a slave.
44. How much money did Jesus’ betrayer receive? ( Matt.26:15) His betrayer Judas Iscariot received 30 pieces of silver. A piece of silver, about 64 cent; $ 19.20, the price of a slave ( Exo.21:22). They insulted Jesus; Also, Judas insulted Jesus by getting money to betray Him.
45. What was to be done with the money of Messiah’s betrayal? ( Zech.11:13) This predicted the use of the 30 pieces of silver to buy a place in the Potter’s field to bury Judas in.
46. What was done with the money of Jesus’ betrayal? ( Matt. 27:3-7) It was thrown down in the temple and used to buy a Potter’s field. $19.20, about 113 days wages of a common labourer at 17 cent a day.
47. Was Messiah to defend Himself before His accusers? (Isa.53:7) No. Messiah did not defend Himself before His accusers.
48. How did Jesus react to His accusers? ( Matt.26: 62-63; 27:12-14) But Jesus kept silent. And He answered not one word.
49. Was Messiah to be beaten and spat upon? ( Isa.50:6) * Yes. They struck Him. * They plucked out the beard * He did not hide His face from shame and spitting.
50. Name two ways in which Jesus suffered at the hands of His oppressors?( Mark 14:65) (John 19:1) He was beaten and spat upon. Some began to spit upon Him, and to blindfold him, and to say to him, Prophecy. And the officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
51. What kind of people were to be executed together with Messiah? ( Isaiah 53:12) Transgressors. * He was numbered with the transgressors. * He made intercession for the transgressors.
52. Who were the two men crucified together with Jesus? ( Matt.27:38) Two robbers (transgressors) were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.
53. Name two parts of Messiah’s body that were to be pierced.(Ps. 22:16) His hands and His feet. Dogs have surrounded him. The assembly of the wicked has encircled Him. They pierced his hands and his feet.
54. Was Jesus pierced in His hands and feet? (Luke 24:39-40) ( John 20:25-27). Yes. Jesus was pierced in His hands and feet. He showed His disciples his pierced hands and his feet.
55. What was to happen to Messiah’s garments and clothing? ( Ps.22:18). They were to be divided and lots cast for his clothing.
56. What did the Roman soldiers do with the garments and tunic of Jesus? (John 19:23-24) They divided his garments and cast lots for his clothing.
57. What were they to give Messiah to drink? ( Ps. 69:21) Vinegar.
58. What did they give Jesus to drink? ( John 19:29) Sour wine ( or vinegar)
59. What could not happen to Messiah’s bones? ( Ps. 34:19-20). They could not be broken.
60. Were the bones of Jesus broken? ( John 19:33,36). No. When they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
61. What was the Lord to lay upon Messiah? ( Isa.53:6). The iniquity of us all was laid upon Messiah.
62. What was to happen to Messiah as a result?(Isa.53:6) He was to be cut off from the land of the Living.
63. What did Jesus bear on the cross? ( 1 Peter 2:24) Our sins
64. What happens to Jesus as a result? ( 1.Peter 3:18). He was put to death.
65. In the tomb of what kind of person was Messiah to be buried? ( Isa. 53:9) A Rich man.
66. In whose tomb was Jesus buried? ( Matt. 27:57-60). Joseph of Arimathea.
67. What kind of person was he?( Matt.27:57) A Rich man.

E. MESSIAH’S VICTORY OVER DEATH

68. After Messiah’s soul had become a sin offering, what three things are promised concerning Him? ( Isa. 53:10) (1) He shall see His seed (2) Hw will prolong His days (3) The pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
69. Could these promises have been fulfilled if Messiah had remained dead? No.
70. What two things does God promise to His Holy one? (Ps. 16:10) (1) He will not leave His soul in sheol. (2) He will not allow Him to see corruption.
71. Were these two things fulfilled in the experience of David? ( 1 Kings 2;10) ( Acts 2:29) No.
72. In whose experience were they fulfilled? ( Acts 2:30-32) The experience of Jesus.
73. What position of authority did God promise to Messiah? ( Ps. 110:1) To sit at His right hand.
74. Could this have been fulfilled as long as He remained on earth? No.
75. To what place of Authority did God exalt Jesus? ( Acts 2:33-36). God’s right hand.
76. Until what time must Jesus remain in Heaven? ( Acts 3:19-21). The times of restoration of all things.
77. How will Messiah come to establish His kingdom? ( Dan.7:13) Messiah will come with clouds of Heaven.
78. How will Jesus return from Heaven? ( Matt.26:63-64) Jesus is coming on clouds of Heaven.
79. On what mountain will Messiah’s feet rest? ( Zech.14:4) The Mount of Olives.
80. To what mountain will Jesus return? ( Acts 1:9-12). The Mount of Olives.

NOTES ON CORRECT ANSWERS – STUDY NO.15

Isaiah 52;13 and 53:12 are great Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. They deoict a servant of the Lord who is rejected by His own people, though without sin on His part, and who suffers the penalty of death for their iniquities. The Jewish commentators have attempted to identify the “Servant” of Isaiah 52:13 as the Jewish people, who have suffered at the hands of others. But this interpretation cannot be valid for the following reason:

1. The “Servant” here depicted was not guilty of any violence or deceit. ( see. Isaiah 53:9). This does not apply to the Jewish people.
2. The “Servant” was wounded for the transgressions” of others ( see verses 4-6). Israel’s sufferings were caused by her own sins, as Moses had warned. (see Leviticus 26:14-43).
3. By a personal knowledge of this “ servant” ( who bore the iniquities of others upon Himself), many would be made righteous before God. This only comes through personal faith in the Messiah (see Romans 3:21-24).

Israel as a nation rejected Jesus. Nevertheless, there was a remnant who followed Him. The early assembly of believers consisted mainly of Messianic Jews.

The Passover lamb, by whose blood the children of Israel were protected from the angel of death, could not have any of its bones broken( Ex.12:46). Jesus, as the sacrificial lamb of God, likewise could not have any bones broken( John 1:29) ( 1.Cor.5:7).

The sacrifice of Jesus was foreshadowed each day of atonement when the High Priest transferred Israel’s sins to the scapegoat ( Lev.16:21-22). Only the blood of the sacrifice could atone for sin ( Lev.17:11). Therefore, Jesus not only bore the sins of the people but also shed His blood for a full and final atonement ( Heb.9:13-22).

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was God’s vindication of Him as Messiah and Lord ( Rom.1:3-4).

Jesus not only rose from the dead, but also ascended up to God the Father in Heaven. The right hand of God represents the seat of all authority and power in the universe. Jesus has taken His place there, ruling in the midst of His enemies until all things submit to His dominion( see Psalm 110:2).

God has promised a period of restoration at the close of this age. This will centre in the restoration of Israel and will climax with the return of Messiah in glory( see Psalm 102:16).

The prophecies of Messiah’s return in glory are even more numerous than those of His first coming in humility.