Isaiah 7-10; Psalm 22; Matthew 26
Isaiah 7-10
In these chapters, the prophet Isaiah calls upon King Ahaz and the people of Judah to trust in the Lord amidst external threats rather than seeking help from foreign armies: "The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy; he is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread" (Isaiah 8:13). Isaiah himself expresses his reliance on God: "I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him" (Isaiah 8:17).
At the same time, Isaiah warns the people of Judah about the consequences of their sinful ways: "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless" (Isaiah 10:1-2). Despite God's severe judgment, a remnant will survive and turn back to the Lord: "A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. Though your people be like the sand by the sea, Israel, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming and righteous" (Isaiah 10:21-22).
Two well-known prophecies about the Messiah are given in these chapters:
1. The prophecy of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) has two layers of fulfillment. The first was in Isaiah's time when his son served as a sign that Judah's enemies would be defeated (Isaiah 8:3). The ultimate fulfillment was in Jesus Christ, the final demonstration of "God with us."
2. The prophecy of the miraculous child (Isaiah 9:1-7) describes the Messiah as both human and divine. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Psalm 22
This well-known Messianic psalm speaks of Christ's sufferings, with several references that are quoted in the New Testament. Although David is reflecting on his struggles, his words serve as a prophetic foretelling of Christ's suffering.
Matthew 26
Before the Last Supper, a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume in the house of Simon the leper. Jesus connects this act with His impending burial.
During the Passover meal, Jesus establishes the New Covenant, explaining that the bread symbolizes His body and the wine His blood, which is poured out to forgive the sins of many.
Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals His deep sorrow and struggle as He prepares to take on humanity's sins and face God's judgment for them. The disciples' inability to stay awake and share in His sorrow highlights the weakness of even the best people. This weakness is further emphasized when the confused and afraid disciples scatter after Jesus' arrest.
The trial of Jesus was grossly unjust, with His accusers openly seeking false witnesses. Knowing the trial's deceitful nature, Jesus remains mostly silent but offers one final affirmation of His divine identity: "You have said so, but I say to all of you: From now on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64).
Peter's denial of Christ stemmed from his misunderstanding of Christ's mission. Like the other disciples, Peter believed Jesus would overthrow Roman rule and establish a kingdom of peace and justice. When Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested, Peter's expectations crumbled, leading him, in fear and confusion, to deny even knowing Christ. His bitter weeping reflected his deep sorrow over this failure.
In these chapters, the prophet Isaiah calls upon King Ahaz and the people of Judah to trust in the Lord amidst external threats rather than seeking help from foreign armies: "The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy; he is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread" (Isaiah 8:13). Isaiah himself expresses his reliance on God: "I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him" (Isaiah 8:17).
At the same time, Isaiah warns the people of Judah about the consequences of their sinful ways: "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless" (Isaiah 10:1-2). Despite God's severe judgment, a remnant will survive and turn back to the Lord: "A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. Though your people be like the sand by the sea, Israel, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming and righteous" (Isaiah 10:21-22).
Two well-known prophecies about the Messiah are given in these chapters:
1. The prophecy of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) has two layers of fulfillment. The first was in Isaiah's time when his son served as a sign that Judah's enemies would be defeated (Isaiah 8:3). The ultimate fulfillment was in Jesus Christ, the final demonstration of "God with us."
2. The prophecy of the miraculous child (Isaiah 9:1-7) describes the Messiah as both human and divine. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Psalm 22
This well-known Messianic psalm speaks of Christ's sufferings, with several references that are quoted in the New Testament. Although David is reflecting on his struggles, his words serve as a prophetic foretelling of Christ's suffering.
Matthew 26
Before the Last Supper, a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume in the house of Simon the leper. Jesus connects this act with His impending burial.
During the Passover meal, Jesus establishes the New Covenant, explaining that the bread symbolizes His body and the wine His blood, which is poured out to forgive the sins of many.
Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals His deep sorrow and struggle as He prepares to take on humanity's sins and face God's judgment for them. The disciples' inability to stay awake and share in His sorrow highlights the weakness of even the best people. This weakness is further emphasized when the confused and afraid disciples scatter after Jesus' arrest.
The trial of Jesus was grossly unjust, with His accusers openly seeking false witnesses. Knowing the trial's deceitful nature, Jesus remains mostly silent but offers one final affirmation of His divine identity: "You have said so, but I say to all of you: From now on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64).
Peter's denial of Christ stemmed from his misunderstanding of Christ's mission. Like the other disciples, Peter believed Jesus would overthrow Roman rule and establish a kingdom of peace and justice. When Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested, Peter's expectations crumbled, leading him, in fear and confusion, to deny even knowing Christ. His bitter weeping reflected his deep sorrow over this failure.
Posted in Reading Bible Together