Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.… I. THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS — MAN'S EXPLANATION OF IT. "We did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted." And it is impossible to say that this is other than a fair view to take from man's position and with man's knowledge. 1. Let us try and realize the process of mind in a man who was told of Christ's sufferings and death, but had no knowledge of His personal innocence; no conception of Him as the "spotless One," separate from sinners. Such a man would only decide that He was "stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." To such a man it would be plain enough that God has established an immediate connection between sin and suffering. And yet we know, we feel, that this explanation of the mystery of our Lord's sufferings is insufficient and incorrect. It does not lift the veil. It is altogether too commonplace. Good enough if Christ were a fellow-man. Worthless — nay, wholly wrong — if He be the spotless Lamb of God; if He be the Son of God with power. 2. Then let us try to realize the process of mind in a man who has some knowledge of Christ's life, and especially of His personal innocence, as one who "did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." Such a man might say, Christ's sufferings were a specially and extraordinary Divine judgment. "He was smitten of God." Such a knowledge of Christ's life would convince the man that Jesus must have been a most amiable and excellent person, an obedient Son, a loving Friend, a gentle-hearted Brother; one who could claim to be a firm and wise moral Teacher. The man would feel sure that the influence of such an one as Jesus must have been very great upon His age. The fast departing moral life of Judaism ought to have had its flickering flame fanned afresh by the presence and teachings of such a Master-Spirit. And then, as he saw Him despised, persecuted, and at last put to the ignominious slave's death of the cross, what could he think about it all But this? It was a sad calamity, one of those mysterious Divine judgments that seem to come in every age, and puzzle sorely the sons of men. Man can only say of the sufferer — "Smitten of God." In this way a man might fairly regard the innocent Jesus. Nay; this, too, is insufficient; it is but the beginning of an explanation. A calamity! Yes, but only a seeming calamity, seeing that by dying He conquered death, "led captivity captive," and "opened the kingdom of heaven you to all-believers." "Man cannot of himself explain the mystery of Christ's sufferings. But he can be humble, and. learn so much of the mystery as God may be pleased to reveal. II. THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS — GOD'S EXPLANATION OF IT. "He was wounded for our transgressions," etc. 1. We may first notice that God sustains man's view, that the sufferings of Christ were His appointment; but He further declares that they were an unusual and altogether singular appointment. 2. Then God's explanation declares that the sufferings of Christ bore no relation whatever to His own guilt. 3. God affirms, further, that Christ suffered as the Representative or Substitute, for others. Is it any wonder that an absorbing love should grow in our souls toward this vicariously-suffering Saviour? In the restoration of man to the Divine favour; in the great and gracious work of "reconciliation," we can recognize three stages — (1) A loving purpose cherished in the deep heart of the Holy Father, that He would recover, deliver, and save His lost, rebellious, prodigal children. (2) That Divine and loving purpose effectually wrought out by God s well-beloved and only begotten Son, in His incarnate life, labours, sufferings, sacrifice and death. (3) The third stage is yet incomplete. It is the voluntary and hearty acceptance, by the long sought children, of the redemption thus gloriously wrought for them. (R. Tuck, B.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. |
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