We are now at Week Eight of our series. This week we will discuss how by prophecy God foretold that he would send a Messiah into this world; though He would be unsatisfactory to the Jews. Then, unrecognizable to them as such, he (the Messiah) would be rejected and killed; thereby taking his throne over a spirtual kingdom open to all humankind.
Before we begin our study, let's pray together: God, you have made the heavens and the earth. You have revealed your beauty in creation and inspired the book that we are now about to study. Please help us now as we read together. Take us deeper into understanding more about you and your love for us. Amen.
Whether bungled, or denied by Premillenialists and Jews alike--the Messiah was to come into the world only to be spurned by his own countrymen and die. That humble submission to physical death was the last step to the throne of the kingdom of God.
Jesus was a Jew, of course. Thus, when he came to earth and began his ministry, he first approached those who should have recognized him from their prophecies. The few Gentiles with whom he had contact demanded his help by their persistence and pitiable state. Then the crumbs fell from the table of revelation to them, dogs as the Jews called them.
As I have provided here for your convenience, the fifty-second and fifty-third chapters of Isaiah's prophecy describe his earthly fate quite clearly:
I. Isaiah's Prophecy II. Fulfillment
-he will be exalted (Isaiah 52:13) -Philippians 2:9
-he will be disfigured by suffering (Isaiah 52:14; 53:2) - Mark 15:17, 19
-he will make a blood atonement (Isaiah 52:15) - 1 Peter 1:2
-he will be widely rejected (Isaiah 53:1-3) - John 12:37-38
-he will bear our sins and sorrows (Isaiah 53:4-5) - Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24-25
-he will be our substitute (Isaiah 53:6-8) - 2 Corinthians 5:21
-he will accept our guilt voluntarily (Isaiah 53:7-8) - John 10:11, 19:30
-he will be buried in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9) - John 19:38-42
-he will save the faithful (Isaiah 53:10-11) -John 3:16; Acts 6:31
-he will die on behalf of transgressors (Isaiah 53:12) - Mark 15:27; Luke 22:37
Some time after Jesus had been debased, then restored to his throne, Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 concerning him: "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone." By prophecy, God foretold that the Messiah he would send into the world would not satisfy the Jews. Tha Messiah would be rejected and killed and thereby take possession of his throne over a spiritual kingdom open to all.
Isaiah also prophesied that the Gentiles would discern God's righteousness and enter as God gives his people a new name (Isaiah 62:2). In his death on the cross, Jesus reconciled man to God and also Jew to Gentile. Though "aliens to the commonwealth of Israel" and without hope before now Gentiles too are led close to Jehovah by his son's blood. Christ "has made both [Jew and Gentile] one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation...so as to create in himself one new man from the two" (Ephesians 2:14-15).
In lieu of judging the world by race, God mediates it by a higher standard: "Whoever fears God and works righteousness is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:35). That devoted person is called a Christian, meaning like Christ. "Christian" first appears in Acts 11:26, where the Greek word for "called" indicates a divine mandate.
Agrippa acknowledged this new brotherhood and sisterhood as Christians, and the apostle Peter encouraged them to stand patiently in that worthy calling. They were no longer Jew, Gentile, nor any sectarian name, but Christian.
Known as the parable of the New Wineskins (Matthew 9:16-17, Mark 2:21-22, Luke 5:36-38), Jesus teaches about the uncomfortable metamorphosis from Mosaic Judaism to New Testament Christianity. He anticipates that some will try to slip the new liberty of the gospel into the same old rituals and customs of the Law of Moses.
In the parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:33-45, Mark 12:1-2, Luke 20:9-19), the same psalmist is quoted by Christ. Additionally, the execution of God's son is prophesied by the victim himself.
Finally, in the parable of the Great Supper (Luke 14:16-24), Jesus defines the guests in the kingdom of God as the "less likely," after the "more likely" turn down (by excuses) his invitation to come join him.
Questions:
1. Was the Jews' rejection of Jesus's claim to be their messiah a surprise to God?
2. What kind of picture does Isaiah paint of the Messiah's visit to earth?
3. What are the implications and fulfillment of Psalm 118:22?
4. What did Jesus's death accomplish for racial harmony in the world?
5. If God does not judge by heredity, how does he view each man?
6. What is represented by the old wineskins? What is represented by the new wineskins?
7. The Judaizing teachers in the first century church were the most likely to seek to bind characteristics of the Mosaic law on new converts. According to Galatians 5:1-6, what becomes of one who attempts to be justified by that law after obeying the gospel? (Also consult Galatians 4:8-11).
8. What lesson does this demonstrate for us today?
9. Whom did the chief priests and Pharisees perceive Jesus was condemning as the wicked vine dressers? Were they right? Who is the son then?
10. To whom was the kingdom of God given after the builders rejected its keystone?
11. What group of people in the world were invited first to come into the kingdom? What did they begin to make (Luke 14:18).
12. Whom were invited to come into the empty places then?
Until next time...
May your week be blessed!
Bibi
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