Learning Jesus | Week 46
My Lord & My God!
Lesson 46 >> Key Word – witness >> Central Passages – Days 2 & 4
Best engagement = complete all five days at home. Next best = Read Days 1-3 & complete Day 5 to prep for group.
Day 1 – Fourth Servant Song in Isaiah testifies of suffering Servant’s exaltation.
Background Information – In our story tomorrow from Luke’s gospel, Jesus will explain to two disciples how the Hebrew Scriptures spoke of Him before He came. In this story it is clear these men did not expect a Messiah who would suffer and die for the sins of Israel and the whole world. Luke does not state the specific Scriptures Jesus reviewed with them, but one on every commentators’ probable list is Isaiah 52:13-53:12.
In the ancient Jewish writings including the Mishna, the Talmud, the Midrashim, this text is regarded as speaking of the Messiah. According to Dr. Fruchtenbaum, all rabbis held to this interpretation until around 1050 A.D. when Rashi stated this text speaks of Israelas a suffering servant, instead of the Messiah as the Suffering Servant. In the early 1800’s more rabbis chose this interpretation, which clearly counters Christian teaching because this so clearly prophesies what Jesus fulfilled in His first coming. Today this text is not read publicly in Jewish synagogues.
This text includes what will be Israel’s confession for the sin of rejecting Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah.
Read Isaiah 52:13-15.
See, my servant will act wisely
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
15 so he will sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
prudence or “to prosper”
resurrection & ascension & present
session of glory at God’s right hand
session of glory at God’s right hand
scourging. See lesson 41
purifying rite/Gentile nations
Kings will be wonder at Him.
1A. A Little Lesson in How to Read Poetry. Those verses of the opening strophe (section of a poem) to this Servant Song hint of the theme: The Servant voluntarily suffered (-) to fulfill the will of God; therefore, He will be exalted (+) before all people. As you read the remainder of the song, note how the strophes in Isaiah 53 provide details to develop that idea. Each strophe will have its own little idea that supports the overarching idea.
One way to understand a poem is to label each sentence as + or – because this helps you to see the shifts in ideas. I always told my students: “Where the poem shifts, the theme is hidden. Ask WHY it shifted and your answer reveals the idea.” A poem may have a few little shifts, but usually toward the end of a poem, perhaps in the last strophe/stanza or perhaps in the last lines, there will be a more dramatic shift. You will see these shifts by noting the change in tone. Typically the change is from – to + OR + to -, but it can also change from being somewhat negative to being really negative --- or somewhat positive to really positive +++.
You will see that I have highlighted the end of sentences. When you read a poem, do not stop at the end of each line. Stop at the end of a main idea just as you normally would do with reading anything else. Try reading it out loud while doing this.
As you read, reflect on the figurative language, imagery, details, diction (words), and overall structure.
Read Isaiah 53.
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
report/preaching all of Israel heard
God the Son; power
connection to Isaiah 11:1
of lowly origin/worthless
Messiah’s healing ministry
many were repulsed by His message
1B. A Little Lesson in How to Read HEBREW Poetry. Hebrew poetry makes great use of parallel structure. An idea is given in one line, and then in the next it is stated again in a different way. Verse 1: Who has believed our message is almost the same idea as and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Verse 2b: He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him is almost the same idea as nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. This stating of a similar idea twice provides a rhythmic repetition that helps the reader understand and retain the speaker’s message, especially when read out loud.
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
In Leviticus nasa always connects to
offering a sacrifice.
Israel believed Jesus justly punished
He was pierced as sin Substitution
refers especially to His scourging
shalom = believers’ spiritual peace
Isaiah includes himself as sinner
Israel finally confesses her rebellion
and Suffering Servant’s innocence
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Beaten & mocked during religious
& civil trial but he did not defend Himself
He died
Considered a criminal & would have
been buried in mass criminal grave
but Jesus was buried in rich man’s
tomb (first exaltation; see Lesson 44)
10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
This is why it was God’s will
He resurrected; believers born again
God’s will will be victorious
God’s wrath shall be appeased
By knowing Him believers justified
Victor in the battle in tribulation
Establishing His Kingdom & giving
His servants rule
He made and continues to make
Intercession for believers
2. There are many testimonies of Jews who read Isaiah 53 and later trusted Christ for salvation.
Watch this five-minute video of a Jewish sailor who came to faith after reading Isaiah 53. https://opentheword.org/2021/08/18/how-a-jewish-navy-sailor-found-christ-after-reading-the-forbidden-chapter-in-the-bible/
Or read this testimony about an Orthodox Jewish rabbi who came to faith after reading Isaiah 53. https://www.jewishtestimonies.com/en/rabbi-max-wertheimer-an-jewish-orthodox-rabbi-finds-his-messiah-1863-1941/
3. Pray for the Jews in our world that we would testify to them of their Lord and their God. Then enjoy a time of praising God. He has a plan to lead Israel to repentance and to give them their promised kingdom.
The book of Isaiah has three other Servant Songs (42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:1-4) that Jesus may have also referenced as Scriptures speaking of Him. If you would like to read these, I would suggest reading them in the NASB; this version capitalizes the pronouns relating to God making it easier to see Jesus in the Hebrew prophecies. According to Bible Gateway, the NASB does not interpret Scripture through translation which enables us to read the Bible in “its most literal format.” Typically we use the ESV version at Grace Bible Church. This one is more “readable,” and Bible Gateway describes it as an “essentially literal” translation. Go to http://biblegateway.com/ to check out Bible Gateway’s descriptions of various versions. This site also has a plethora of tools and helps for you there as well.
Day 2 – Two disciples’ eyes are opened >>> they recognize the Messiah of Scripture.
Background Information – It is still Sunday and Jesus now makes His third appearance, this time to two disciples not of the apostolic group. Only one disciple is named, maybe because he is the same Cleopas married to one of the Mary’s who saw Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:25). He may also be named because either a Cleopas or Simon son of Cleopas led the Church in Jerusalem after James was martyred. As you read this first section, consider what these men did believe about Jesus and what they did not believe about Jesus.
Read Luke 24:13-24.
1. What did these two disciples initially believe and not believe about Jesus?
Believe –
Not Believe –
Background Information – In Day 1 we read from Isaiah 52:13-53:12, which includes Israel’s confession for not accepting Jesus as the Messiah at His first coming. Re-read the theme of Isaiah 53 in the 1A box. Luke states that these two disciples “were kept from recognizing Him.” In a sense these men are like the nation of Israel who did not recognize Jesus in His first coming. In Romans 9-11, Paul explains how Israel’s failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah served God’s plan, and he alludes to Isaiah 52:13 to draw readers’ attention to this entire prophetic word. As you read the remainder of this story, consider Jesus’ rebuke in verses 25-26 and what prompted these two men to recognize Jesus.
Read Luke 24:25-35.
2. Jesus models a how, a what and a why for sharing the good news of the Messiah.
o How did Jesus make sure the two disciples understood? Consider His steps.
o What do these two disciples now understand about the Messiah who is Jesus of Nazareth that they did not understand before?
o Why did Jesus make sure they understood? Consider ALL who would deepen their love for Him after these two knew how to both deeply read the Scriptures and apply the Scriptures.
Background Information – In the same chapter where Paul states the gospel -- Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the third day -- he also lists people to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. He confirms that Jesus appeared to Peter before appearing to the other apostles (1 Corinthians 15:5). Peter was the leader of the apostles, yet he had denied Jesus. But Messiah Jesus gave him the grace of His presence and rebuke.
3. What did you learn from Jesus about how to be a witness of His Word and His Person & Work?
Day 3 – The Sent One Sends
Background Information – This story continues from yesterday. While the two disciples to whom Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus were talking about their encounter with the risen Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified and laid in the new tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea....
Read Luke 24:36-43.
1. Jesus appears to 10 apostles.
o What does Jesus say and do to help the disciples believe His body is alive?
o Review Jesus’ rebuke in verse 38. What would be the honest answers to His questions?
Background Information – Luke’s details are so in keeping with what we would expect from Dr. Luke. Revelation 1 records John’s encounter with Jesus after Jesus had ascended and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. At this time, He appeared in His glorified body, and John does not mention Jesus’ wounds.
In John’s account that you are about to read, Jesus blesses the disciples with peace twice. It was customary to greet the brethren with “Shalom,” but Jesus repeats this blessing when He says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” The gospels record three clear commissions or “sendings” from Jesus to His disciples; each commission recognizes the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and helps us to understand that the Father sent the Son who sends His disciples in the power of the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-23; Luke 24:45-49; Matthew 28:19-20). Here we are focusing on His first commissioning in John.
Read John 20:19-25.
2. Re-read John 20:21-22. What is the relationship with the Father that Jesus has modeled before these whom He called to be His apostles? Consider why a sender would send a particular representative.
This is a difficult passage – This commissioning raises some questions:
Q1 – Why did Jesus breathe on the disciples and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit”?
We know that the Holy Spirit indwells believers at Pentecost. After this, Peter in obedience to Jesus’ commission and in the power of the Holy Spirit preaches the gospel in such a way that it is clear he understands how Jesus has fulfilled the Scriptures as both the Suffering and Victorious Messiah (Acts 2). We do not see this evidence of the Holy Spirit indwelling the disciples in the gospels. Addressing commentators who see this reference to the Holy Spirit as John’s version of what occurred in Acts 2, D.A. Carson, author of the commentary The Gospel According to John, says, “There is too slight a demonstration within the Gospel of John that this alleged bestowal of the Spirit made the slightest bit of difference in the lives of Jesus’ followers.”
Instead we can infer that just as Jesus opened up the Scriptures to the two disciples walking the road to Emmaus that He did the same with His other disciples. In Luke’s commission, he states: “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45), so this helps us to understand why Jesus commanded His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit. One role of the Holy Spirit is to illuminate the Word of God to believers (1 Corinthians 2:9-3:3).
Q2 – What kind authority is Jesus imparting to His disciples regarding the forgiveness of sins? Carson points out that Jesus is speaking in the passive perfect tense, not in the active tense, so it is GOD who is acting. The teaching of the gospel is that in Christ our sin is not only forgiven, but removed (Psalm 103:11-12; Romans 8:1; John 1:9). Some read these verses as stating this: As Jesus is sending His disciples out to share the gospel, they will recognize those who trust eternal forgiveness is in Christ alone and those who do not. Some read these verses as teaching that Jesus is giving the apostles the authority to bind or loose sin in the judicial sense. As they lead the Church, the apostles have the authority to call out and judge sin to the extent that if they punish sin or choose not to punish sin, they do so with God’s authority.
3. Re-read John 20:21-22 and consider the notes above. Jesus is sending the apostles to continue the mission He started. Then He commands them to receive the Holy Spirit and grants them disciplemaking authority over sin. So we got mission, Holy Spirit, and authority to make decisions about others’ sin of unbelief or conduct Why does reading these verses as a “commission” make sense given what you know about sharing the gospel and disciplemaking relationships?
Day 4 – The last to believe declares, “My Lord and my God!”
Background Information – Only in John’s gospel does Thomas speak and this helps us to appreciate how we can also commit to die with Jesus one minute and in the next ask, “Um...wait...what’s going on?” (11:6; 14:5). As we read yesterday in our text, Thomas did not believe that Jesus appeared to the other ten disciples, for he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Notice what Jesus says to Thomas that shows He was listening to him make this statement of unbelief. Consider deeply what Thomas declares in this text, and how it is a perfect testimony to conclude John’s gospel in particular.
Read John 20:24-31.
1. Sit for a minute and imagine everyone you have been living with and traveling with and doing ministry with and fled the scene with and have been hiding with saw Jesus. But you did not.
o How would you try to reconcile this group...what is it? lie? hallucination? demonization?
So now you HAVE seen Jesus. Ruminate some more.
o What is it you now want to do? Why?
o So you tell your sister, but she has the same cynical gene in her DNA that you do. How are you going to “get her” to believe?
Background Information – Carson cuts Jesus’ rebuke to Thomas to its simplest form and states that it should be read as this: “Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Jesus states that those who do not see Him yet believe will enjoy a relationship with Him as well. Consider how this connects to the purpose of John’s gospel as revealed in its closing words: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
2. When reflecting on how Jesus appeared to His disciples, how can you also say with great joy – even though you have not seen Him in person -- “MY Lord and MY God!” (emphasis mine)
3. Why is sharing what the Bible teaches about how we can have an eternal relationship with God along with sharing our personal testimony of knowing Him so perfect?
Optional Memory Verses – ”Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:26-27
Day 5 — Personal Reflection Day
This week we will focus primarily on the disciplemaking of proclaiming the gospel. Next week we will focus on the disciplemaking of helping a believer to grow more like Christ.
The Disciplemaking of Proclaiming the Gospel
The self-evaluation below is just between you and God. In the comment section make notes.
Your self-evaluation is between you and God, but we are here to help you grow. In our next lesson, we will provide resources to help you learn to share the gospel and to train a disciple. You could choose to go through a resource with a friend or two or more as a way to continue learning Jesus.
REFLECTION Questions for Group
1. Share with your group anything that stood out to you as you completed your Day 5 “Witness to the World” self-evaluation.
2. Jesus invited Thomas to check Him out, but then He corrected Thomas for remaining in unbelief. Read Row 6, our last row in our Journey of Discipleship chart below. Review it with the word “pride” as your lens, especially over those highlighted words. Share with your group, your journey with pride/humility as a disciple.
o How did a struggle with pride, a time of living out of unbelief, affect your relationship with God and people in your life?
o How did your repentance from pride, a time of living out of humble belief, affect your relationship with God and the people you influence for Christ?
COMMUNITY GROUP TIME
• Discuss the Central Passage questions. (This week that is Days 2 and 4)
• Is anyone able to recite Luke 24:26-27?
• Discuss Reflection Questions.
• Close in prayer.
God’s joy and strength to you,
kpaulson@gracelaredo.org