The entire Gospel of Matthews is aimed at establishing Jesus as the fulfilment of Messianic prophecies. These are prophecies that refer to the coming of the redeemer who will re-instate Israel to its promised glory. However these were also prophecies that often went against the expectations of the people of Israel who desired an exodus from the foreign rule rather than a freedom from sin altogether. Messianic prophecies span almost the entire length of the Old Testament starting from Genesis 3:15 till Malachi 4:5. However it is in the declaration of the prophet Isaiah that we find the description of the Suffering Servant. The picture of Israel being re-instated to the promised glory as the chosen one of God and the humiliation of Jesus are not two thoughts that can be reconciled. The key to correlating the two have been provided to us by Jesus himself.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mat 27:46)
This is a direct reference to a passage in the Old Testament referring to the exaltation of the Suffering servant. However this is not written by Isaiah. It was written before Isaiah at the hand of the one whom God acknowledged as a man after his own heart. It is taken from a psalm of David.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? (Psa 22:1)
We must remember that at that time the numbering of the psalms and the verses had not been achieved and it was perhaps it was the norm to refer to a passage by rote as did Jesus. When the people heard Jesus cried out they did not understand him even though he cried out not in the language of the scripture but rather that which they were used to. It was a mixture of Hebrew and Chaldean, a result of the exile and return of Judah. Nonetheless their eyes were blinded and hearts hardened. They mocked him. It is remarkable to note that when Jesus called out to God the people assumed that he was calling out to Elijah.
Those of us who have been privy to the revelation of God must search the true meaning of the Word of God and find the reference Jesus showed us in His hour of intense pain. It was not the pain of death but rather the pain of the sin of the world.
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
(Psa 22:6-8)
But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” (Mat 27:49)
Jesus suffered in silence. Then what of us who choose to follow him? Do we expect a smooth life ahead of us? Christians have been persecuted at every point in history. What is happening in the Phillipines, in Bangladesh, in certain parts of India, it is not a new thing. What we must do however is hold on to our faith in those times and acknowledge that the one who could defeat death can break all our shackles. If he does not so then there is a purpose.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; (Psa 22:14)
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. (Joh 19:34)
Jesus was poured out like water for our sake. Are we ready to be poured out for his sake as well?
they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. (Psa 22:18)
so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things, (Joh 19:24)
Jesus chose not to save himself because he had larger concerns.
The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.
(Isa 50:5-6)
Thus says your Lord, the LORD, your God who pleads the cause of his people: “Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more; (Isa 51:22)
Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind— so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.
(Isa 52:13-15)
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
(Isa 53:3-10)
Prophet Isaiah paints a picture of the life of Jesus 700 years before he was born. What is remarkable is not however the prophecy being fulfilled. What stands out is the fact that God had to drink the cup of wrath himself to spare his own children. Such is the justice of God. Do you trust in his justice?