The God of Good News

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.-Jesus

John 5:39 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.5.39.KJV

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:44‭-‬47 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.24.44-47.KJV

Such an egregious claim that was made by Jesus. All of the Scriptures having 40 writers of different backgrounds, written with 1500 years of age difference, 3 different languages from 3 continents, all talk about Him.

C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) once said that Jesus is either just legend, or a liar (greatest conman), a lunatic or really the Lord of Lords. He was never just a great teacher. He never revealed Himself as that. Such a claim should be investigated and one can find this passage in Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 53 written 600-700 years before Jesus came.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But 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. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:4‭-‬6 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.53.4-6.KJV

The whole passage of Isaiah 53 actually talks about Jesus the Messiah (Christ). The reason of Him coming and the details of His death all written years before He walked on earth.

I. Failure of man (Reason)

A. Unbelief v1

1. In God's revelation

2. In God's signs

B. Transgressions (rebellion) v5

C. Iniquities-crookedness, driving wrong lane

D. Lost (v6)-astray

II. Suffering of Christ

A. No beauty in Him v2

B. Despised v3

C. Rejected

D. Pain

1. Physical pain

2. Mental pain sweats of blood (Hematidrosis)

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Luke 22:42‭-‬44 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.22.42-44.KJV

E. Grief

F. Stricken v4

G. Smitten

H. Afflicted- humbled- humiliated, to depress

I. Wounded v5- defiled, polluted, violated, pierced (The Messiah was expected to be pierced and crucified even years before crucifixion was invented.)

For dogs have compassed me: The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: They pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: They look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, And cast lots upon my vesture.

Psalm 22:16‭-‬18 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.22.16-18.KJV

J. Oppressed v7- harrassed

K. Plaguedv8

III. Fulfillment of God (God always keeps His promise)

A. Out of dryness, God fulfills miracles v2

1. In Spite of Disappointments

2. In Spite of Silence

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/jer.29.11.KJV

It is never an issue of God's ability, the issue is our ability to believe and wait. Are you willing to wait 700 years for God.

B. In His Sovereignty, God rules history v10- should be His interest, not your interest.

C. Because of His suffering, God saves humanity.

1. Content of the gospel

a. Death v8

b. Burial v9

c. Resurrection v10

2. Message of the gospel

a. Offering for sin (to cleanse us and make us acceptable to God's presence/Heaven)

b. Justify many (to make right with God)

c. Intercession for the transgressors (Continual cleansing and mediating of Christ)

d. Glory to God

Throughout the Bible and even until now, man has proven that we are always looking out for our own interest, never of others. More importantly never of God's. The more we understand our failure to this Great God the more we understand His great, overflowing Love on which He intervened human history to show His Love and Power.

Are we willing to acknowledge our failure and focus more on understanding this Good News (gospel) from God? There are so many blessing that come after. The best of it is being connected to the most Glorious Being in the universe.