At this season of the year we want to turn our attention to our Lord’s death and sacrifice.
We want to see the Passover picture and its concepts throughout the scriptures not only during the Memorial season, but all of the year because we live the reality every day.
1 Peter 1:3–12 ESV
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
We would like to focus on the phrase “predicted the sufferings of Christ” (verse 11).
Question:
Discuss the sufferings of Christ as foretold in the Old Testament.
- What are the prophecies?
- Why did Jesus have to suffer in addition to giving his life?
- Why is an understanding of Jesus’ sufferings necessary for Christians?
Discussion Summary:
Verse 11 has been translated in two different ways:
- Predicted the sufferings “for” [on behalf] of Christ (See Rotherham translation). This would refer to the sufferings of Christians as Christians. An Old Testament prophecy that would have pointed to this suffering is Daniel 7:25.
- Predicted the sufferings “of” Christ. This would refer to the sufferings of Jesus. This reading is mirrored in 1 Peter 2:21-25 which speaks of the specific sufferings of Jesus.
Some of the Old Testament prophecies that foretold Jesus’ sufferings are:
- Psalm 22:1,18
- Psalm 69:20,21
- Isaiah 50:6,7
- Isaiah 53 (We notice in this chapter that the emphasis is not on the details of the crucifixion, but on the opposition that Jesus endured during his ministry. Jesus’ attitude of acceptance and non-retaliation is the primary focus of his suffering.)
Jesus’ sufferings produced three things in him:
- Perfection (Hebrews 2:10)
- Obedience (Hebrews 4:8)
- Sympathy for sinners (Hebrews 4:14-16)
An understanding of Jesus’ suffering produces in us the desire and ability to suffer “like him.” He is our example. (John 15:20, 2 Corinthians 1:5, Hebrews 12:4-11)
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