The suffering servant (Part 5): He was led like a lamb to the slaughter

Have you ever been to an abattoir (Slaughterhouse)? What was your experience if you had been to an abattoir? The animals who are sent to the abattoir have no choice. They cannot complain about being turned to meat. They enter the abattoir alive and are returned as packaged or prepared meat. In other words, no cow or lamb can boldly tell the owner that it doesn’t want to be sent to the abattoir. However, we do not treat humans like that. Even the worst-case criminals are given the opportunity to defend themselves. Once again, we also know that in some nations, free and fair trials don’t exist so as soon as a person is declared guilty, their fate is like that of the lamb to the slaughter.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.‭‭ (Isaiah 53:7)

As we continue to analyze the suffering servant in Isaiah’s Messianic prophecies, let’s consider verse 7 of Isaiah 53: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.‭‭” This verse paints an image of a helpless lamb being taken to the slaughterhouse. We also see the image of a sheep during shearing. Neither the lamb before its slaughter nor the sheep before its shearers complain, protest or argue with their owners. These two metaphors in Isaiah’s Messianic prophecies align with how Jesus was handled a few hours before He was crucified. The arrest of Jesus, the unfair trials before the Sanhedrin, before Pilate and Herod among the people who insulted Him, treated him with scorn and derision, flogged him, etc. all culminated in the way Jesus was wrongfully treated. In all these, like a lamb to the slaughter, Jesus did not protect. Like a sheep before its shearers, He didn’t open His mouth when they hurled insults on Him.

What did the Son of God do to deserve these unfair treatment? He did nothing! The life of Jesus was poured as the sacrificial offering required to atone the sins of all humanity and to restore the fallen man back to God. When Isaiah’s prophecy was given years ago, the people might  have wondered why this servant had to experience all these unfair treatment. Yet, when the religious leaders caused the arrest of Jesus, they thought they were defending their religion and saving Israel from a false prophet and a false teacher. They saw Jesus’ ministry as an indictment on their religious statuses and beliefs. They were defending Judaism, so they thought. However, in doing so, they became the accusers of their own Saviour. They plotted, orchestrated and killed the one who was sent to redeem them. But, in the perfect will of God, His Son, the suffering servant would be killed to atone for the sins of the world.

‭‭In Luke’s account, after Jesus was arrested, “the men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” And they said many other insulting things to him.” (Luke 22:63-65).
Matthew recorded that before the Sanhedrin, it was agreed that Jesus is worthy of death. “Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” (‭‭Matthew 26:66-68)
Mark also adds that, “then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” (Mark 14:60-61).
“You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him. ‭‭(Mark 14:64-65)

Our redemption didn’t come on a platter. Jesus went through so much pain to rescue us from the clutches of sin, temptation and death. Don’t allow your actions to make null of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. The price has been paid and we have the opportunity to live right.

The sisters in the church in Jerusalem

Apostle Paul finally arrived in Jerusalem after many days of missionary work. His journey has been eventful and he had the opportunity to minister to both Jews and Gentiles. The power of God had been strongly manifested: the unbelievers believed the gospel of Jesus, the sick were healed, the dead were raised to life and the kingdom of God was preached to the nations. These feats were indeed marvelous and demonstrated the power of God. However, there were people who saw the ministry of Paul as a threat to Judaism and had plans to bring Paul down. Through the Holy Spirit, Paul was informed by the brothers and sisters in the churches he visited that imprisonment awaits him in Jerusalem but that did not deter Paul from going to Jerusalem.

When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. (Acts 21:17)

When Paul and his team arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received them warmly (Acts 21:17). Like many of the churches Paul visited, the brothers and the sisters in the local churches were welcoming to Paul and his team. The sisters in the Jerusalem church might have heard of all the accusations against Paul. They had been informed that Paul had been teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to the Jewish customs (Acts 21:21). Although the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem believed in the ministry of Paul, these allegations could have caused the church to be divided over the ministry of Paul. But, that wasn’t the case. The whole church with one accord welcomed the Apostle Paul not to condemn him over the allegations, but to find ways to make sure that the Jewish community doesn’t accuse Paul of abandoning the faith.

The sisters in the Jerusalem church might have prepared to host Paul and his team. They would have made background arrangements for accommodation, logistics and feeding. They were actively involved in welcoming Paul and his team. Luke describes the welcome as “warm”. It is important to understand that church growth thrives on variables such as unity within the members and between the different local churches. The sisters and the brothers of Jerusalem advised Paul to join four others who are undergoing the Jewish purification rites so as to prove to the people that Paul is not teaching others to turn away from the faith. The church made contingency plans to help Paul navigate the issues raised by the Jewish people.

First, we need to understand that Paul was aware of the challenges that awaited him in Jerusalem. Second, Paul was willing to even die if the need be. Yet, the church did all they can to help Paul navigate through this. The ministry of both the brothers and sisters were needed for this purpose.

Women are generally seen as emotional beings and most times excluded from certain “important conversations” in the church. As we navigate the challenges of the 21st century church, we should be intentional about engaging everyone and giving people the opportunity to contribute to the growth of the church. If possible, we should encourage discipleship training to equip both men and women to be able to contribute meaningfully in their respective ministries.