Myrrh for a Savior
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Why did Jesus need to identify with our Suffering.
Text: Isaiah 53:1-7
There is no doubt that Jesus is the suffering servant located in Isaiah 53. There are multiple quotations found in the NT. Among those stand out the quotation of the Apostles John and Peter. Where they speaking of Jesus directly claim that it is Christ.
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Make no mistake about it that the suffering of Jesus was a feature not a bug. Jesus came to be “God with us.” and therefore “God like us.”
Human suffering is a complex phenomenon with various sources. Different factors contribute to the experience of suffering, and it's important to recognize that individuals may face a combination of these challenges.
Physical Pain and Illness:
Chronic or acute physical pain, illness, disabilities, and injuries contribute to significant suffering.
Mental and Emotional Distress:
Mental health disorders, emotional trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges can lead to considerable suffering.
Loss and Grief:
Death of loved ones, separation, and the experience of grief can cause profound emotional pain.
Poverty and Economic Hardship:
Lack of resources, poverty, unemployment, and financial struggles contribute to suffering, affecting both individuals and communities.
Injustice and Discrimination:
Discrimination, inequality, oppression, and social injustice can lead to individual and collective suffering.
Conflict and Violence:
Wars, violence, terrorism, and interpersonal conflicts contribute to physical, emotional, and societal suffering.
Natural Disasters:
Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, droughts, and other natural disasters can result in widespread suffering and loss.
Existential and Spiritual Concerns:
Questions about the meaning of life, purpose, existential angst, and spiritual crises can contribute to internal suffering.
Relationship Issues:
Strained family relationships, conflicts with friends or colleagues, and broken romantic relationships can lead to emotional pain.
Addiction and Substance Abuse:
Substance abuse and addiction contribute to physical, mental, and social suffering for individuals and their loved ones.
Natural Aging and Mortality:
The process of aging, the fear of death, and existential concerns related to mortality can contribute to suffering.
Isaiah gives a run down of God’s attitude toward His suffering servant and all that God was going to do with his suffering.
1. Isaiah 42:1-7; shows the Lord’s delight with his anointed servant and the gentle characteristics of the servant’s ministry
Behold my servant, whom I uphold;
Mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth;
I have put my spirit upon him:
He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2. Isaiah 49:3-7; describes the chosen servant of the Lord as the world-wide hope for salvation.
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved of Israel:
I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles,
That thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One,
To him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers,
Kings shall see and arise,
Princes also shall worship,
Because of the Lord that is faithful,
And the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
3. Isaiah 50:4-10; Details the obedience of the servant and his vindication after suffering.
I gave my back to the smiters,
And my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:
I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
For the Lord God will help me;
Therefore shall I not be confounded:
Therefore have I set my face like a flint,
And I know that I shall not be ashamed.
4. Isaiah 52:13 – Isaiah 53:12; Explains the atoning sacrifice of the suffering servant who is despised and rejected yet obeys to the point of death and is therefore highly exalted by God.
We see his willingness to suffer when he was willing to endure the suffering by ignoring the drink offered on the cross. As if any anesthetic would be compromising his call to suffer.
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
Mark adds one more ingredient
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
Interesting that myrrh shows up at the Cross isn’t it. That same willow sap from the middle east found here at the death of Jesus. More so it was found at his burial.
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
Here we see Jesus in his full mission.
Not just to come and teach us the person of God the Father.
Not just to come and give us the Church.
Not just to help the greiving.
But to Suffer…
Jesus' suffering is significant:
Substitutionary Atonement:
Christians believe that Jesus' suffering and death served as a substitutionary atonement for the sins of humanity. In this view, Jesus took on the punishment that humanity deserved, allowing believers to be reconciled with God.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Redemption:
Jesus' suffering is necessary in the process of redeeming humanity from sin. Through his sacrifice, Christians people are saved and attain eternal life.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Fulfillment of Prophecy:
Jesus' suffering fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating that he was the promised Messiah and part of God's divine plan for salvation.
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Victory over Death:
Jesus' suffering is connected to his subsequent resurrection, symbolizing victory over sin and death. His death and resurrection provide hope for believers in their own resurrection and eternal life.
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Identification with Human Suffering:
Jesus' suffering is the way that God is intimately identify with the human experience, including pain and suffering. This perspective emphasizes the compassionate nature of God.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Demonstrating God's Love:
Jesus' suffering is the ultimate expression of God's love. The idea is that God, in the person of Jesus, willingly endured suffering to demonstrate the depth of divine love.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Obedience to God's Will:
Jesus' suffering was a result of his obedience to God's will. His submission to God's plan serves as an example for believers to follow.
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Reconciliation with God:
Jesus' suffering reconciled the broken relationship between humanity and God, allowing believers to experience a restored connection with the divine.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
The Cross was the plan from the beginning and as this young mother held her love and yet Savior in her arms the view of Myrrh would have strum at her heart as she thought back to the promises of the Messiah that would yes be King and Priestly but not without the Suffering that was coming his way.
When considering our responisbility with the gifts presented to our savior I am left with a couple options for our Biblical application.
Forget that he was the one that Suffered. And I could turn this into a message where you should be willing to suffer for him because he was willing to suffer for you. In this light it may betray the fact that we don’t understand his greatness and our right to suffering.
Take your children and run to Egypt.
There is a human response found in Luke Chapter 2 just after the Shepherds leave the manger side.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
This morning might I remind you that Christmas at its core is not something we do for Christ. It acknowledging something that was done for us.
It is not meant to spur action but adoration. This is what John was driving for when he told us of the light that entered into the world. Your job is to look to the light.
Your job to the suffering of Jesus is to consider him.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
This morning as our Ushers join us I ask you to join me at the side of the manger