In anticipating a Savior it is not hard to make the leap that he would be strong. We expect him to come in power and might and defeat our enemies and our oppressors. We think he will establish peace by crushing our enemies. But as God’s word unfolds, we begin to see a new kind of savior emerging in the pages of the Bible.
He would come for a time and minister to the people and then be cut off! He would go down. But not for himself. For his people. Dan 9:25-26a Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. (26) And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing.
Further
Isa 53:2-12 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. (3) 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. (4) Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (5) 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. (6) 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. (7) 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. (8) 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? (9) 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. (10) 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. (11) Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
He would come with the weak frailty of humanity and grow in all the normal ordinary ways. He would be hated and rejected well accustomed to sadness and sorrow. He would be struck, even cursed by God…yet this piercing and crushing was not for his own iniquity but ours. He would not open his mouth in defense but willingly bear our punishment to the grave. Even there he would be without honor. But all this anguish in his soul would buy life for us.
such would be his sorrow and suffering
Psa 22:12-18 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; (13) they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. (14) 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; (15) my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. (16) For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— (17) I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; (18) they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
Who will He be? He will be a suffering servant. The king comes to suffer and serve. This is how sin is defeated and how the head of the serpent is crushed. Not by killing his enemies, but dying for them. He conquers by his own blood.
Will you lay down your might. Lay down your strength. Just come and humble yourself before so majestic a king who would endure all these things for you.
