The Suffering Servant
As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary, His mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 NET
The gold symbolising Kingship, Frankincense symbolising Worship—a life bowed to God the Father—and Myrrh symbolising Suffering and Death.
Filled with the Aromas of Frankincense and Myrrh, this candle is just a fragrant symbol of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, before the foundation of the world, was the Lamb who was slain, a willing sacrifice. (Revelation 13:8AMP). And in 1 Peter 1:18-21 AMP For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless [spiritually unproductive] way of life inherited [by tradition] from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold, [19] but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ. [Lev 22:20] [20] For He was foreordained (foreknown) before the foundation of the world, but has appeared [publicly] in these last times for your sake [21] and through Him you believe [confidently] in God [the heavenly Father], who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] in God.
We were all born into this sinful world with a sinful nature because of the fall in the Garden of Eden. (Feel free to read the whole account in Genesis 3). It is pretty remarkable how Satan lured Eve and how easily we can still fall into the same trap today. Knowledge, and that by it, we may be like God. The truth is, God is God, and Paul in Romans 11:33-36 AMP clearly articulates this truth when he says: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! [34] For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? [Is 40:13, 14] [35] Or who has first given to Him that it would be paid back to him? [36] For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen”. Yet, Eve still believed that by partaking of that forbidden fruit, she would obtain knowledge and be like God. But, for all eternity, the plan of redemption through Christ coming in the form of human flesh, being born of a woman, emptying Himself of deity, being tempted in every respect, yet not sinning and learning obedience through what He suffered, even obedience unto death on a cross was already done, but just not revealed to us. By this appearance, the nakedness exposed through sin in the garden would now be replaced by putting on Christ Himself as our only way of obtaining reconciliation with the Father. This mystery was hidden for a long time and is now made plainly known to us, yet many of us still do not understand what the Gospel of Christ is and how it is good news. We have made salvation about a moment when we pray a “sinner's prayer” and too often never actually walk in the reality of a life transformed from that moment. So, through this message, we pray that you will understand better this message.
Romans 1:17-18 AMPC [17] For in* the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith. [Hab. 2:4.] [18] For God's [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative.
What is righteousness? - The condition acceptable to God. It is Integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting. This very kind of life is revealed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and believed in and obtained only by faith. That through Him alone, what separated us from a relationship with God, the wickedness of sin and the depravity of the heart of man, has now been overcome by Christ, and a life given to Him that abides in Him can be washed, purified, and fully reconciled and become a brand-new creation.
Romans 1:16-1 NET [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17] For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”. This message alone is God’s power against sin and its penalty. Proclaiming this message should never be shrunk back from. No other message has the power to forgive, save, and restore the right relationship between man and God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ alone is the only way to true salvation.
Nothing is required of us other than faith—to believe in the One who was sent. Another word used to define the word faith is conviction. A conviction that by Christ alone we may obtain the right standing with God. The righteous live by the conviction that Christ is the source of all righteousness. And it is by the Gospel that this righteousness is revealed.
Romans 8:1-3 AMP [1] Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. [John 3:18] [2] For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], [Lev 7:37]
The Gospel reveals righteousness through Jesus Christ. It shows that by Him, we can live in a condition acceptable to God, walking in integrity, virtue, and purity. Through Christ, we can restore our minds, feelings, and actions to His original plan and purpose.
Jesus exampled this: Philippians 2:5-8 ESV Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Then, Hebrews 5:7-9 ESV In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. [8] Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. [9] And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
Hebrews 4:15 ESV For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Christ’s righteousness condemned sin and justified the believer. He laid aside His deity, His equality with God, and His divine nature and humbled Himself to be born of flesh and endure every temptation we endure, yet not succumb to its desire to ensnare Him.
The Gospel message is that we can walk righteously before a Holy God and Jesus by two means: His Life that dwells within us and His example, which has given us every required help and instruction to be overcomers.
Let's summarise some of these facts about Jesus.
· He emptied Himself of all deity
· Took on human form
· Was born of flesh
· In every respect, was tempted
· Learned obedience through suffering
· And walked in that obedience even to the point of death
How did He do this? I believe He demonstrates how.
In the days of His flesh. While in the form of man, emptied of all divine power, not grasping at anything to make it easier for Himself, offered up definite, special petitions [for that which He not only wanted but needed] and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was [always] able to save Him [out] from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God [His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father]. (Heb 5:7)
There was desperation, a special petition for what He needed, and a strong cry out to God, who was the only One able to save Him from the death that would come if He gave in. His fear and reverence of God caused Him to “Shrink back from the horrors of separation” from God.
First, here is an example of what the Fear of God looks like. What the terror of separation from God Almighty looks like and does inside man's heart. It produces a shrinking back from sin, a petition, and a strong cry of deliverance that the temptation, the weakness of the flesh, is unable to overcome on its own, nor is the law able to accomplish.
This is how we overcome. When tempted, when suffering, when everything is overwhelming, and when the pangs of death are closing in, this is how we respond. This is walking in the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. We may have divine power dwelling within us, but we have not overcome sin or this world to the fullness of purity and holiness. Through Jesus Christ, we have an example of how to work out this salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:12-13 AMPC Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [13] [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
This sheds a new light on this very well-known, often-quoted passage of scripture.
Philippians 4:6-7 AMPC Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. [7] And God's peace, which transcends all understanding, shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
We need not fret or be anxious when temptation comes. We need not be discouraged and feel that sin is just too big to overcome. Jesus illustrated this very passage. He brought His strong requests, petitions, and cries before God, who was faithful to deliver Him from them all to the point of not succumbing to one of them. There is a tranquil state of assurance that if we remain within the confines of this Gospel, having the same Fear of God and terror of separation from Him, we need not fear being overcome but, through Christ Jesus, become overcomers.
THE SUFFERING SERVANT
Isaiah 53:2-12 NLT [2] My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. [3] He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. [4] Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! [5] But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. [6] All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. [7] He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. [8] Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. [9] He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. [10] But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. [11] When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. [12] I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.
FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM
Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT [1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. [3] Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. [4] After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
He suffered and endured for love. He suffered so that we may not escape suffering, but we may, in Him, overcome as He overcame.
