The Suffering and Rejection of Jesus and Contemporary Teachings on His Suffering to Christians Today

THE SUFFERING AND REJECTION OF JESUS AND THE CONTEMPORARY
TEACHINGS ON HIS SUFFERING TO CHRISTIANS TODAY
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The Suffering and Rejection of Jesus, and the Contemporary Teachings on His Suffering to
Christians Today
Prophecies of Jesus Rejection and Suffering
The Psalmist Prophecy
The suffering and rejection of Jesus was long prophesied by the prophets of God even
before it happened. According to the Psalmist’s Prophecy in Psalms (41:9, 110 1-2). The
Psalmist in chapter 41:9 complains about the friend he trusted who betrays him: He indicates,
`Even my best friend, the one I trusted most, the one who shared my food, has turned against
me.’ In some people’s lives, there comes a season where friends and family turn against you, you
feel betrayed and unloved by the most you love most and the ones you least expected to hurt
you1. This is what happened to Jesus when Judas Iscariot betrayed Him by exchanging him with
thirty silver coins. Judas was led by a detachment of soldiers and some official s from the chief
priests and Pharisees. Although this happened, God had assured Jesus victory against his
enemies by making them a footstool for His feet2.
The Suffering Servant Prophecy
According to Isaiah 53, the chapter talks of the suffering servant. Jesus was an innocent
person who carried the burden of our sin but the observers thought that He was being punished
for His sins. The writer identifies Jesus as the suffering servant, but through His suffering,
salvation is brought to nations. Prophet Isaiah depicts the following experiences that Jesus go
through: The servant is rejected and despised by those who are with him; he is harshly treated,
1 Crass, Samuel. ‘The sacrifices of God: the broken heart in the psalms.’(2017).
2 Stickler, Joshua. ‘Psalms of Lament as Resource for Contemporary Christian Worship’
(2015).

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arrested, sentenced to death and killed. He also adds that was mocked and spat on, He accepts
the suffering which should have been received by others for their sin and it is the will of God that
the servant should suffer. Through it all His death brings forgiveness of sin, human beings are
reconciled to God and His success and honor will surprise many who have witnessed his
suffering3.
Jesus Rejection at Nazareth
Jesus teachings and works usually brought conflicts between Him and the religious
leaders. Jesus one time was ministering in Nazareth, His own village where he attended a service
in the synagogue. He had sufficient knowledge on the Law and the Prophets. He was given a
scroll of prophet Isaiah and opened the chapter which was written that He is the appointed one
by God who comes to save the poor by bringing the good news to them. Jesus later then rolled up
the scroll and gave it back. Everyone in the synagogue stared at Him and Jesus commented that
the scripture has been fulfilled in their hearing. Everyone of Him and they were fascinated at the
message that his words communicated4. However when they realized that He was claiming to be
the expected Messiah, they turned hostile and started saying He is Josephs son5. This indicated
that they had rejected Him but He responded by saying that no prophet is ever accepted by His
own people. Jesus told them that they will quote to Him a proverb by asking Him to save
Himself just as He did in Capernaum. He also said that during Elijah’s and Elijah’s time, the
prophets only attended to those who had faith but the people had rejected their forefathers.
3 Dinker, Michal Beth. Suffering, Misunderstanding: The Markan Misunderstanding Motif
as a form of Jesus’ Suffering. Journal of the Study of the New Testament 38, no. 3(2016):
316-338.
4 Charlesworth, James H. Archeology of Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus: `Introducing the Need
for Archeological Enriched Theology’.Roczniki Kulturoznawcze, 6(3), Pp.43-44.
5 Wilson, Benjamin R. The Saving Cross Of the Suffering Christ: The Death of Jesus in
Lukan Soteriology.Vol.223. Walter De Gruyter GmbH& Co KG, 2016.