From Suffering to Glory
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Key Verse: “Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Selected Scriptures: |
THE WORDS OF OUR KEY Verse are taken from the testimony spoken by the risen Lord when he appeared as a stranger to two disciples walking toward the village of Emmaus. He knew that the prophets had not only declared the coming glories which would be his, but also the sufferings which he had to endure prior to his glorification. One of many such prophecies which spoke of these things is found in the words of Jeremiah: “I was like a lamb … that is brought to the slaughter.” (Jer. 11:19) This “stranger” explained that it was necessary for Jesus to suffer these things, in order to fulfill his work as the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”—John 1:29
We see further corroboration of these truths concerning Jesus in both the Old and New Testament records. In Isaiah 53:5,7, we read, “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. … He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.” The Apostle Paul indicates that it was necessary for our Lord to endure all of these things, even unto death, in order that he might be “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Thus, he “learned … obedience by the things which he suffered.”—Heb. 4:15; 5:8
The finest offering that any member of the fallen race might have made could not take away sin. Adam, a perfect man, had sinned, and only the perfect man, Jesus, could redeem him. In yet another prophetic testimony, we hear Jesus speak concerning himself: “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God.” (Ps. 40:6-8) The words “in the volume of the book” are a further reference to the fact that Jesus’ redemptive work was prophetically spoken of “in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms.”—Luke 24:44
Before his death, Jesus had declared of himself, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Now, appearing to his followers as the risen Lord, he gave them words designed to enlighten their minds as well as give them comfort concerning the purpose of his death and resurrection. He “saith unto them, Peace be unto you. … Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.”—Luke 24:36,45
Centuries earlier, Moses had repeated all of the words of the Law to the people of Israel. Now Jesus, the “Prophet … like unto” Moses (Acts 3:22), had fulfilled the Law, and began opening the minds of his people, “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God,” and teaching them to “fulfil the law of Christ.” (chap. 1:3; Gal. 6:2) After the risen Lord had appeared to his disciples sufficiently to accomplish all that was necessary on their behalf, “he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:51) Truly we can rejoice in these words: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, … and honour, and glory, and blessing.”—Rev. 5:12