Christ’s suffering was oppressive
Isaiah 53:7-9
The characteristics of sheep are used in the Bible to describe man’s spiritual condition and also the ministry of Christ. In verse 6, we see that mankind like sheep, has wandered off and is now astrayed and lost. In verse 7-9, we see the defenseless characteritic of sheep being used to describe Jesus as He is led to the cross on our behalf.
In the book of Acts, Philip was lead by the Lord into a desert area, where he came upon an Ethiopian Eunuch reading this text. Being unsure of its meaning, Philip begins with this text and reveals to this man how Jesus carried our inquity that was placed upon Him.
In verse 7, we find that through this Jesus was silent. He did not plead for mercy nor did He cry out in protest. You and I are never silent while in pain and torment, yet He was. Why? Isaiah 52:13, hints at the answer “he would act wiselyâ€. Jesus knew that this was a service to God, He was doing this on our behalf. Greater love has no man ever seen.
In verse 8, we are told that He was led away after an unjust trial, but no one even cared. In our society if there was some illegal method was used to convict, then the convicted one is entitled to a new trial. Not so with Jesus, they were going to condemn him any way they could and He never said a word. Never asked for a retrial, but quietlt accepted it.
In verse 9, wse sees that there was found no violence or deceit in Him, yet they insisted that He be put to death.
In all of this Jesus said not a word.
As we observe the Lord’s Table, let us be mindful our “our so great salvationâ€, and remember what Christ did at Calvary on our behalf, bearing the judgment of our sins upon Himself so that The Father could reconsile us to Himself and thereby save us when we accept Christ as our Saviour.