[Repeat of series introduction that began on 17 December 2023: Where would you go today in the Old Testament to argue that Jesus is the Christ? There’s so much to this that cannot be dismissed. We’re given in many ways what the Messiah would be like, what his character would be, how he’d be received (even by different people), what he’d do, how he’d redeem, that we’d have his lineage, what he’d say, how it would all end, how he’d come and more. So much, and we see it all done in just one man! How would you know that he is the promised Messiah? Jesus’ birth, life, suffering, and glorification all demonstrate the facets of his excellent work. Jesus himself asked two of his disciples the same question I could ask you today, and then went to the same source to explain it that I’d like to go to as well in this series: “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” Luke 24:26-27. Jesus had to suffer to then enter into his glory he said. With this premise, he goes through some measure of the 39 books of the Old Testament revealing himself to them thereby. This is the same Old Testament we have today. I wish we were given the transcript of that talk, but God didn’t wish to give it. But can we see it? Many historical events in the Scriptures could be fulfilled by men and women, but no one but Jesus (Messiah) could fulfill them all. The Lord himself demonstrated that he was and is the Christ, and our New Testament reflects that its writers were well aware of this. The clear approach of the Apostles was to argue the same from the Bible that Jesus read- the 39 books we now call the Old Testament. To know what it means that Jesus is the Christ is to show the fulness of God’s revelation to mankind in the New Testament in him. In the Old Testament, God said he’d defeat sin and death; the New Testament shows us that work done. There are so many ways to talk of this. So many passages. I won’t exhaust them, but in this series, I wish to examine some of these passages. These passages are how I would prove Jesus is the Christ from the Old Testament].
Continuing on in Isaiah 53:11-12 [NASB95] we read in the conclusion of the chapter,
“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.
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.”
Vs. 8 identifies this same one as being, “Cut off from the land of living” and then adds here that, “He shall see the labor of his soul and be satisfied.” I understand that to do both this one must continue on in some way after death. We saw in vs. 10 just previous that he was “bruised” and that his very soul was made “an offering for sin.” Here, Isaiah sees his “knowledge” as a part of the justification this one would bring. Isaiah 5:13 reads: “Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; and their nobles are famished, and their multitude is parched with thirst.” Christ’s Gospel may be foolishness to the dying, but it’s the display of the power and wisdom of God. Jesus sees daily in the “labor of his soul” that he …became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30. Each and every member of his body demonstrates the good pleasure of God in his life and intercession.
The New Testament’s prophets clearly saw the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:11-12 in Jesus’ works. The Apostle Matthew says Jesus’ healings and deliverances, “Happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled: “He Himself took our illnesses and carried away our diseases.” Matthew 8:17. Peter argues that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s words saying: “He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed.” Penal substitutionary atonement seems the best and chief harmonization of all that the Bible says about the work of the Messiah in his first coming.
“He poured out his soul to death.” Just in case there are any doubts about who this one is, it’s a “he” and he died. “To death” he went. If I were a first century believer and I was seeking to proclaim Christ I could quote his statement in fulfillment of Isaiah 53 here where he said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45. In these words, Jesus fulfilled what Isaiah said of him.
Jesus was numbered as a sinner. He had two criminals executed at his sides. He was literally numbered with them that day. He bore the sins of one of them, and of all his people from Adam’s fall to the last who’ll be redeemed when the clock runs out on that day. Like the animals sacrificed in the Aaronic Priesthood, he was transferred all of their sins. His people’s sins.
It is this eternal priesthood that he alone holds. He is the only one called the “Great High Priest” in the Bible in Hebrews 4:14. He is the only mediator between God and mankind. 1 Timothy 2:5. Reader, ask of him, seek him, knock, knock, knock! He will answer if you’re seeking.
Every detail of Isaiah 53 can be argued establishing Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. The Christ.
God bless!!!
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