The Suffering Messiah
By: M. Allen
FILING INFORMATION:
98051
Subject: Jesus Christ
Preached Originally: 10/18/98 – Rapid City, SD
I. Introduction.
A. Lives busy. Been said that we are busier today than any generation that has ever lived on earth.
1. busy pursuing job responsibilities, etc.
2. busy in our recreational pursuits
3. busy taking care of family.
4. You name it…
B. Need to take time out every now & then to reflect upon Jesus Christ & His dying on the cross. Certainly, He paid the price for our sins.
1. On many occasions, the Bible reminds us of the suffering of Jesus Christ.
a. prophecy foretells it years before it happens – Psa. 22; Isa. 53
b. 4 gospels tell us the story as it happened.
b. epistles remind us of the story.
2. Text: 1 Pet. 1:21-25; 3:18
3. Why is the suffering of Christ reflected on so much in the Scriptures?
C. Our very hope of salvation depends upon the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus!
1. Had Christ not died in our place, we would have no hope whatsoever!
2. The suffering, anguish that he went through should never be too far removed from our lives.
3. Let us never take what Christ did for us for granted!
D. Let us view the sufferings of Christ.
II. Why did Christ suffer for us?
A. Before we detail what He endured for the sake of the elect, it is important to discuss why He went to the cross in my place. The Bible shows us in a clear, understandable way!
B. Christ did suffered for me to demonstrate His love for me!
1. Rom. 5:8-9; 1 Jhn. 3:16; 4:9-10
2. He demonstrated His love for me before I ever knew him!
a. some only love those who love them.
b. Not Christ!
3. Loved me while I was still in sin – rebelling a/g God!
4. No greater love hath man known!
C. Christ did this to fulfill God’s plan of salvation for mankind.
1. Man has been in need of salvation since the days of the garden of Eden.
a. beginning in Gen. 12 – God sets His plan in motion for the sacrifice of His Son.
b. Jesus was the fulfillment of this plan.
2. Notice what Peter says in Acts 3:12-19
3. Salvation is obtained when God’s plan is put into action. We must subject ourselves to His plan or be forever lost!
D. Christ did this so that man might have remission of sin.
1. 1 Pet. 2:24…so that we might live for righteousness.
2. Mt. 26:28 – as Jesus instituted the LS – said His death would be for the remission of sins.
E. Christ died so that we may have peace.
1. Rom. 5:1
2. A life filled w/sin brings forth anything BUT peace!
3. One can have comfort in Christ – knowing that God will forgive Him for what He has done – if he’ll only ask!
4. We may find peace by looking forward to heaven – where there will be no sorrow, tears, heartache – Rev. 21:4.
III. The Nature of Christ’s Suffering.
A. It was vicarious in nature.
1. vicarious – endured/undergone by one person acting for another. (2) acting in the place of someone else.
2. Isa. 53:1-6 – Jesus suffered for others. Notice especially v. 4-5.
3. 53:3 – He was despised.
a. despised: to regard w/scorn or contempt: to disdain.
b. Ever been disliked by someone? Not pleasant to be around them!
1. imagine being hated by someone – and you did nothing to them!
2. Imagine being hated by someone – and you were only there to help.
3. Imagine being hated by someone – and you were put to death by them!
c. Remember….He did this for you & me!
4. Mt. 26:56 – forsaken by His closest friends.
a. ever been forsaken by a friend in a time of need?
1. pain, anger, disappointment toward friend.
2. All while facing the trial.
3. Now imagine the agony of Jesus as He knew what was about to happen to him – all alone!
b. disciples depart – not caring about Jesus but themselves!
c. Remember! He did this for you & me!
5. Mt. 26:46 – betrayed by Judas.
a. Judas: special that he was one of the 12.
b. What a privilege/honor he had: then He himself delivers Christ to those who wish to kill him for only 30 pieces of silver!
c. Christ had to be betrayed – for us. Remember….he went through this for you & me!
6. Mt. 27:38 – made to die as a criminal with criminals.
a. committed no sin – much less a crime against society worthy of death!
b. How humiliating! Remember….talking about the Son of God here!
c. Remember…this was done for us! He died in our place!
B. He Suffered Loss for us!
1. Phil. 2:5-8 – explains exactly what Christ gave up!
a. gave up a home in heaven for us!
b. Gave it up for:
1. living as a man – the very thing He created.
2. Pain, sorrow, heartache, temptation to sin.
3. Lowered himself to no reputation (Isa. 53:1-2) – remember – talking about Someone who deserved all praise, honor, glory!
c. gave up His very equality w/God! Came in likeness of man!
2. 2 Cor. 8:9 – gave up His riches for us!
3. Very clearly – He suffered loss for us!
C. He suffered pain for us!
1. some of us have low pain tolerance. Dentist, medical procedures, etc. Look at what Christ went through.
2. Mt. 27:26-30 He was scourged in our place. Can’t imagine the pain involved in such.
a. what does a body go through while being scourged?
b. From a medical perspective of the scourging of Jesus:
1. scourging was a legal preliminary before every Roman execution. Only women/Roman soldiers/Senators exempt.
2. Instrument: short whip w/braided leather thongs w/small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones tied at certain intervals.
3. Man stripped of clothing – hands tied to upright post. Back, buttocks, legs, flogged by two soldiers who alliterated position.
4. Flogging brought extreme pain as the whip cut into bones/tissue/muscles producing ribbons of bleeding flesh.
c. After experiencing this: made to bear His own cross – Jhn. 19:16-17.
3. Mt. 27:34-35 – then He suffers death via crucifixion.
a. most painful, horrible death that man has ever invented.
b. Spat upon, reviled, yelled at – all while on the cross.
c. Most humiliating. Remember – we’re talking about the Son of God here!
4. Notice what He went through for you & me!
5. Very clearly – He suffered for us!
IV. How many take all of
this for granted?
A. By refusing to believe in Jesus!
1. some make the Bible & it’s contents out to be a joke! Perhaps just like a fiction bestseller they would buy in a bookstore.
2. Some just can’t fathom the thought that God/Jesus actually real and that they mean what they say!
3. John 20:30-31 – things in the Scriptures written so that we may believe!
4. Religious worldview takes Christ for granted. Reduces Christianity to nothing more than just a mere religion of man
a. Buddhist/Islamic/Jewish/Agnostic/Atheist all take Jesus Christ for granted.
b. Only those who believe in Christ will be saved! Jhn. 8:24
c. Acts 4:12 – salvation found in no other name!
B. by refusing to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1. talking about the one who has been exposed to hearing the gospel plan of salvation – but is too stubborn to accept!
2. Justify it:
a. got something want to do first. Look Christ in eye & say: You aren’t that important to me yet. I’ve got other things I need to do - & then you & what you did for me will be important!
b. Don’t want to submit to baptism. Look Christ in the eye & tell Him you don’t want to be baptized.
c. My family will be unpleased: Look Jesus in the eye & tell Him that your family means more to you than His suffering for you!
3. If you refuse to obey – count His death as nothing – God has the right to exercise justice upon you!
a. 2 Thess. 1:6-9
b. God will give you up to your vile passions – Rom. 1:24-26
c. Rom. 6:23 – spiritual death awaits! You will die in your sins!
C. By the Christian turning back to the world.
1. The Christian who willfully turns himself from God certainly takes the suffering of Christ for granted. Not counting cost of His death.
2. Heb. 10:26-31
a. are you guilty of trampling the Son of God under foot?
b. Are you guilty of insulting the spirit of grace?
c. Are you guilty of counting the suffering Messiah as nothing?
3. The Christians who falls back into sin has no pity from God or excuse!
a. 2 Pet. 2:20-22
b. interesting: some in this condition still claim to love God!
c. How dare someone do this!
4. If you have drifted away: you need to return to God!
V. Conclusion.
A. Don’t take Christ’s suffering for granted.
B. Lesson today: our fundamentals of faith.
1. we need to be reminded of the basics from time to time.
2. We need to know/understand the suffering Christ went through.
C. Not a Christian?
1. believe on Him!
2. Obey the gospel.
D. Unfaithful Christian?
1. return to God.
2. Don’t continue to insult the spirit of grace.
E. faithful Christian?
1. don’t forget what Christ did for you!
F. I N V I T A T I O N