QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK

December 31st, 2022

The book of Isaiah is often called the 5th Gospel because of how frequently it prophesies about the Messiah. Written around 700 years before Jesus and at least 100 years before crucifixion, it says that the Messiah was “wounded” and “crushed” for us and that we are “healed” by that. How can you explain the prediction and description of the crucifixion to an unbeliever?
“Fulfill” is an important word for the gospel of Matthew. It is used more there than anywhere else in the NT. Matthew 8:14-17 says Jesus “fulfilled” Isaiah 53:4. Does it matter that Jesus would have been familiar with that passage? Could Jesus have made this “fulfillment” happen if He was just human? How does the fulfillment point to His deity?
Today’s culture can be very toxic. Step out of line and you get cancelled or trolled. Jesus experienced that rejection the ultimate way – death. Yet, when criticized and lied about, He merely trusted “him who judges justly,” (1 Peter 2:19-25). What is your first instinct when that happens to you? How can God use your gracious response to reach others?

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