Greetings everyone and thanks for joining me for this edition of my Sunday School lesson commentary and preview. This Sunday’s lesson is entitled “The Suffering Servant Brings Salvation” and is found in Isaiah 53:4-11.
Today’s text describes a person who is accepted and received by God as a sacrifice or atonement for the sins, iniquity and transgressions of people. Jesus Christ is believed by Christians to be the One who fulfills this description.
Jesus suffered and died from one of the cruelest forms of death implemented by mankind. Crucifixion was painful, lingering and humiliating to those who were subjected to it. It was designed to send a message to others as well as put the person to death.
This passage raises at least two questions that are fundamental in understanding the Christian faith. Why did God require a sacrifice or atonement for the sins of the people and why did the One who was the sacrifice have to suffer?
Like it or not, man is being held accountable for what he does with the life he has been given. If he obeys God, he shall continue to live. But if he disobeys God, he shall die. The Apostle Paul declares that “all have sinned” and the soul that sins shall die. This is God’s law for the man He created.
Someone may ask, “what about a baby and what sin or evil has it committed?”. It’s sin is “trespassing” in being born. It has no right to be here. It is like someone who enter a country illegally. So when Adam died, all men (including babies) died in Adam. So, whether it is something we did as individuals or not, we are all under or guilty of sin.
And so, you may conclude or say that death is a harsh punishment or judgement for the evil and sin of disobeying God. But what we think about God’s judgement doesn’t change it. And although we may not understand it or agree with it, we know that it is right because God is righteous, just and holy.
So, the One in the lesson today died to satisfy the righteous judgement of God. And because by one all died, by One all shall be made alive. This One takes the place of judgement and death of all who will repent and obey God. This is why the One in the lesson had to die.
But why did He have to experience pain and suffering in His life and death? To let all men know they have a choice to make between good and evil. Pain and suffering is the result of evil. The One on the cross is saying this is what the result of evil is. And by going up on the cross, He is saying for us to take a good look at it.
After seeing evil and knowing what it does, if we refuse and overcome it, we shall live. This by the way is God’s grace and mercy. However, if we continue in sin and evil with this same knowledge, we shall die.
So as we read the lesson text, God is doing two things. He is taking care of our sin debt which is death in His Own body and by suffering He identifies with mankind and is bringing judgement on all who refuse to repent and continue to have pleasure in and partake of evil and unrighteousness.
It just wasn’t enough for Him to die, but by dying the death He died, He has brought judgement upon all mankind by forcing us to choose. Jesus said that if He would be lifted up from the earth, that He would draw all mankind unto Himself and thereby must all appear before His judgement seat.
Well, I hope you will be able to attend SS this coming Sunday. Invite someone to come and share your thoughts with the class. Sunday School at Flag Branch will begin at 9:00 am and you are invited to join us at www.fbmbc.org and clicking the online services link.
You and others can also join us by dialing 508 924-2890. If you have any comments or questions before then, be sure to place them in the comment section of this preview and I will get back to you. So, as always remember to fear God and keep His commandments.
Pastor Jordan
