Brethren we can discern why God afflicted His sinless son in four functions, namely: for a sin offering, to justify people by the knowledge of Jesus, to make Jesus an intercessor and to secure in him an earthly inheritance. These functions accrue as blessings to all who believe on his name.
4.1 AN OFFERING FOR SIN THAT PLEASES GOD
It is impossible to please God without Faith! God therefore, out of his love, caused Jesus to be afflicted to make it easier for people to please him by faith in the offering of the soul of Jesus for sin. “… It pleased the Lord to bruise him [and] put him to grief: [so that] when [you] shalt make his soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed…” [God] shall see of the travail of [Jesus’] soul, and shall be satisfied…”. God set Jesus “to be a propitiation through faith in his blood… for the remission of sins that are past. (Isaiah 53:10-11; Romans 3:25).
In other words, God was pleased to afflict Jesus’ ‘soul’ so that when we believe in his affliction as an offering made for our sin, and repent, God shall not see our sins; but He shall only see or remember the distress of the soul of His “seed” – which is God’s Spirit that was made flesh, and He shall be satisfied.
Brethren, God may accept your mode of repentance because of His infinite mercy (Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:15). However, be aware that the God’s offering of Jesus for sin is what is pleasing to Him for the atonement of sin that leads to salvation and repentance; and it requires faith in what God has done through His own offering for sin.
4.2 KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS THAT JUSTIFY PEOPLE
God offered Jesus by affliction in order that many shall be justified by the knowledge of the righteousness of His Son, because he has borne our iniquities. He was condemned for our sin but raised to life for our justification. (Isaiah 53:11; Romans 4:25).
God elected him and put His Spirit upon him so that he shall reveal God’s righteousness, that he might be just and the justifier of people who shall believe in Jesus (Isaiah 42:1; Romans 3:26 & 4:5). Just as one man’s sin in Adam brought condemnation and death unto many, so also one man’s sacrifice in Jesus brings the grace of God and His gift to justify many (Romans 5:15-18). Jesus Christ, the Righteous One is our advocate before the Father (I John 2:1)
This knowledge of God’s righteousness as revealed in His son, is very important. It should help to condition our relationship with Father God, to boast not in our own works of righteousness, but in what Christ obtained for us by his affliction. (Isaiah 42:1; 53:11; Romans 3:26 & 4:5 & 4:25).
4.3 JESUS INTERCEDES FOR SINNERS
All have gone astray and have sinned, and God laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all. Jesus was “stricken” and “wounded” for our transgression and “bruised” for our iniquities. God counted him among sinners so that he can identify and bare their sin; and can make intercession for them. (Isaiah 53:5-6; 8 &12; Romans 3:23-25).
By the affliction, the Son of God bore our sins in his own body that we may be dead to sin and should live unto righteousness, with the gift of eternal life. “The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed”. (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5). And God committed to prosper in the hands of Jesus, everything that is pleasurable to Him (Isaiah 53:10). Brethren, there can be not worthier intercessor than Jesus! Who can condemn us? (Romans 6:23 & 8:1&34; Isaiah 53:5-6; 8 &12; Romans 3:23-25; 1 Peter 2:24 ).
4.4 TO INHERIT THE EARTH
Another purpose for which God afflicted Jesus, was to give him inheritance over all his works on the earth, and thereby to reinstate the dominion that Adam lost to Satan. God declares of this purpose thus: “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death” (Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 16:5-6).
Jesus explained the need for this dominion stating : “…how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house”.(Matthew 12:29). He succeeded to “spoil” principalities and powers, and triumphed over them by his death. (Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 16:5-6; Matthew 28:19; Colossians 2:15).
He obtained “all power… in heaven and in earth” including inheritance of the heathen and kingdoms on the earth. (Matthew 28:19; Colossians 2:15; Psalm 2:8). He spoke of this power saying: “hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God”. And we obtain the blessing that “whatsoever [we] shall ask in [his] name, [he will do], that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (Luke: 22:69; John 14:13).
Brethren, in concluding, let me encourage you to celebrate the faith of Jesus and His victory over the ‘furnace of affliction’, death, the grave, sin and the world. And for justifying all who believe before God. JESUS IS LORD! HE IS RISEN!
Next week by grace, we examine faith trials for discipleship especially covering situations people may face for believing on the name of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Almighty God, thank you for your word.
We acknowledge the wonderful work which You have done through Christ for our redemption. GLORY TO YOUR NAME!
Holy Father, we pray for our brethren who sit in captivity and darkness to inherit the gift of your Grace.
Dear Lord, establish us in Your Righteousness. And deliver us from reproach, shame, oppression and the spirit of fear.
Holy Spirit, please, teach us more about our inheritance in Jesus and let our Peace be great.
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME.
Have a blessed Sabbath and a Glorious celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG), 30 March 2018.
