Christ the Suffering Servant

During his three years of itinerant ministry, Jesus is unstoppable: no human, natural, or demonic force can stand against his will. But from the moment of his arrest in Gethsemane, Jesus seems like a pawn in the hands of his adversaries. He falls virtually silent as they parade him through Jewish and Roman trials, crowds who call for his crucifixion and Roman soldiers who taunt and beat him. His non-resistance to the insults and injustices perpetrated against him seems inexplicable, even to his closest companions. After his resurrection, his disciples would recognize him as the Suffering Servant -"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7a).

The Passion Narratives in the four gospels, written from the perspective of Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies such as those in Isaiah, provide us a picture of the Suffering Servant. "Servant songs" chronicle the task prepared for the coming Messiah:

• To suffer punishment for the iniquities of others
• To give his life as a ransom for many

The Suffering Servant prophecies are key to making sense of how Jesus viewed the events of Passion Week. They provide insight and understanding as to how the gospel writers portray the atoning death of Christ.

Christ the Suffering Servant, a six-week Bible study/devotional, will help you prepare your heart and mind for the mystery and meaning of Christ's sacrifice.