Lesson 367 - Junior

Memory Verse

"The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

Notes

Prophecy and Fulfilment

Before Jesus was born, the prophets spoke of Him. They told of His birth, of His death, and of His resurrection. These things came to pass when Jesus was here upon earth. Concerning His birth we read: "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet" [MAT:1:22]).

The time came when Jesus began His teachings. The people had been told by Moses: "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken" [DEU:18:15]). The people remembered those words of prophecy when Jesus began to work miracles. "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world" [JHN:6:14]).

True Report

Isaiah wrote about the coming Messiah, Jesus. Isaiah's prophecy told of Jesus' suffering and the things he would endure. Isaiah was not sure how many people would believe his words or how many people would experience the power of God, but Isaiah was faithful to give the words of the Lord. The question of Isaiah -" "Who hath believed our report?" -" was like a challenge. Do you believe what he said?

Jesus asked a similar question one time. He said, "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" [LUK:18:8]). We, ourselves, can answer these questions. Have we believed? Has the power of God been shown to us? Do we have faith? How happy Jesus would be to have us answer that we believe the prophets' report, that we will experience the power of God, and that we will have faith when Jesus comes again!

Humble Birth

Isaiah told of Jesus' humble birth and common boyhood -" "as a root out of a dry ground." Jesus was born in the family of David, but the house of David was not ruling at that time. If Jesus had been born in a palace, had had fine clothes and many servants, no doubt people would have believed Him to be the promised messiah. But His family was not active in the government; neither was He born in a wealthy home. Most of the people did not recognise Him as the Son of God. The shepherds and the wise men honoured Jesus as the Christ who would save His people. God had shown them that Jesus was the "King of the Jews."

"He shall grow up . . . as a tender plant." According to the Law of Moses, Jesus was presented to the Lord in the Temple, just as other children were. As was the custom of the Law, His parents took two turtledoves or pigeons because they were not able to take a lamb offering. Perhaps there were other parents with their children there at the same time. No doubt, there were many people in the Temple, but only two recognised Jesus as the promised Child. Simeon, a just and devout man, took the baby Jesus in his arms, and blessed God. He said, "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation" [LUK:2:30]). The Prophetess Anna gave thanks unto God and saw in Jesus the "redemption in Jerusalem" [LUK:2:38]). The Child grew and was strong in spirit, known to His friends and neighbours as the carpenter's son [MAT:13:55]).

No Beauty

As Jesus grew to manhood, His physical appearance was not especially attractive. Isaiah said, "There is no beauty that we should desire him." If Jesus had been exceptionally handsome man or a champion athlete or a singer whose voice was outstandingly beautiful, perhaps many people would have followed Him for those physical attractions.

Rejected

"He is despised and rejected of men." Jesus was rejected by His own people, the Jews. They did not receive Him as their Messiah. They called Him names and grew to hate Jesus. Then they schemed against Him and tried to catch Him in some detail against the Law. Finally they helped in the mock trial and Jesus' crucifixion. On the cross Jesus was forsaken by man and by God [MAT:26:56]; [MAT:27:46]). Jesus told His disciples that they would be hated for His "name's sake" [MAT:10:22]). Just before He was crucified He told them, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you" [JHN:15:18]).

Man of Sorrows

Jesus took upon Himself our sorrows and pains. Sorrows are mental sufferings; pains are physical sufferings. While Jesus lived on the earth He had compassion upon those who were suffering. He had sympathy for those who sorrowed. As He saw the sisters of Lazarus weep at the tomb, Jesus wept, too [JHN:11:35]). When Jesus met a funeral procession, He had compassion on the widow of Nain, whose only son had died. Jesus' words brought the dead man to life again [LUK:7:14-15]).

On the cross, Jesus took our place. He, who committed no sin, took our sins and suffered for them.

Suffering

He was wounded -" stripes were laid upon His back, a crown of thorns was placed on His head, nails were driven through His hands and feet -" for our transgressions. He was spat upon, slapped, and humiliated [MAT:26:67]). All these things He suffered for us, that we might be saved. How He loved us!

Jesus was beaten with stripes [MAK:15:15]), and "with his stripes we are healed." Jesus shed His Blood that we could have physical healing (for our bodies) as well as spiritual healing (for our souls).

The Lamb of God

In speaking of Christ, Isaiah said, "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." We are told that a sheep does not bleat when it is sheared. Some animals squeal and make a lot of noise when they are grabbed or even touched. A sheep is meek and quiet and does not fight back. It does not defend itself from its enemies.

When accusations were flung at Jesus, He said nothing. Herod questioned Him with many words but Jesus answered nothing [LUK:23:9]). Jesus was meek and quiet. He did not try to defend Himself. Instead, He gave Himself that we might have eternal life. Jesus is called the "Lamb of God" [JHN:1:29]).

The Lamb in Isaac's Place

When Abraham and Isaac had gone to Mount Moriah to worship, Isaac reminded his father that they had brought no lamb for the burnt offering. Abraham had been asked by God to offer his son. He was being tested. But Abraham answered, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering." God provided a lamb to take Isaac's place there on Mount Moriah; and also gave Jesus, His own Son, to take our place on Calvary as the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" [JHN:1:29]).

The Passover Lamb

The last plague that was sent upon the Egyptians was the death of the first-born. God gave instructions to the Children of Israel how their first-born children might be spared. They were told to kill a perfect lamb, one without blemish, strike its blood on the doorposts, and eat the meat roasted with bitter herbs. "The blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you" [EXO:12:13]). The Children of Israel wee instructed to kill a lamb to keep the Feast of the Passover each year at this time, because the death angel had passed over them. When they were asked about it they said: "It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S Passover, . . . when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses" [EXO:12:27]).

Jesus is our Passover Lamb [1CO:5:7]), and His precious Blood applied to our heart will redeem us. (Read [1PE:1:18-19].) We do not need a lamb-offering each year as the Children of Israel did, because Jesus died once for our sins [1PE:3:18]).

Death and Burial

Isaiah also foretold Jesus' death and burial. "He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death." This was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified with a thief on each side of him [MAK:15:27]), and was buried in the tomb of a rich man, Joseph of Arimathæa [MAT:27:57-60]).

So Isaiah's prophecy came to pass, even that which states that "he . . . made intercession for the transgressors." Jesus is now at the right hand of God pleading for sinners. He is the only One who can reconcile a man to his God. Jesus loves you so much that He endured all the pain and sorrow so you can be happy. Jesus was willing to die for you. Are you willing to live for Him?

Questions

 

1. What is a prophet?

2. How did Isaiah know what to write about Jesus?

3. Why was Jesus presented to God in the Temple when He was a baby?

4. In the Temple, who recognised Jesus as the promised Messiah?

5. Why was Jesus crucified?

6. What kind of men were crucified on each side of Jesus?

7. Where was Jesus buried?

8. What kind of animal was killed for the Passover Feast?

9. Why is Jesus the Lamb of God?

10. Where is Jesus now? What is He doing?