10/07/2019
Many of you may be familiar with the prophet Isaiah and the 53rd chapter that so pointedly describes the Suffering Servant. But some of you, particularly if you are Jewish may never have heard of or read this passage. Why? Because it, among other passages, is simply not read in the haftorah portions in the synagogues.
It’s quite amazing though when hearing this chapter read to them, how Jewish and non-Jewish alike believe that this passage was taken right out of the New Testament; it’s so descriptive of Yeshua the Messiah. The author, however, who penned it was none other than Isaiah, the Hebrew prophet who lived 700 years before Yeshua. In this chapter it describes one who would bear our sins and who would provide atonement, or forgiveness for our iniquities. Many ancient Jewish sages, before Yeshua, understood this passage as describing the suffering Messiah. In fact even in the 7th century AD, we have an incredible prayer that sits right in the heart of the Machzor, the Jewish prayer book for the High Holidays. Just take a minute to read what Rabbi Eliezar wrote: “Our righteous Messiah has turned away from us we have acted foolishly and there is no one to justify us. Our iniquities and the yoke of our transgressions he bears and he is pierced for our transgressions. He carries our sins on his shoulder, to find forgiveness for our iniquities. By his wounds we are healed.”
The most important question that comes out from a study of this chapter is, “Do we need someone to carry our sins? If so who is this servant that does just that?
Jewish tradition and the Scriptures speak about the Messiah who will bring peace to the world. But we cannot ignore how true peace must first be achieved in our hearts. Peace is achieved when the burden of our sin is removed. That is what God did for us.
What are we going to do with Isaiah 53? We are going to read it!
Be blessed as you listen to this message on the "Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur" with Messianic leader, Jacques Isaac Gabizon. Shalom. https://www.bethariel.ca/day-of-atonement-yom-kippur/