How could Jesus be the messiah and be a "suffering servant" ?

Question

Christianity claims that Isaiah chapter 53 refers to Jesus, as the "suffering servant."

In actuality, Isaiah 53 directly follows the theme of chapter 52, describing the exile and redemption of the Jewish people. The prophecies are written in the singular form because the Jews ("Israel") are regarded as one unit. The Torah is filled with examples of the Jewish nation referred to with a singular pronoun.

Ironically, Isaiah's prophecies of persecution refer in part to the 11th century when Jews were tortured and killed by Crusaders who acted in the name of Jesus.

From where did these mistranslations stem? St. Gregory, 4th century Bishop of Nanianzus, wrote: "A little jargon is all that is necessary to impose on the people. The less they comprehend, the more they admire."

Can you please quote from the bible when you answer? I'm only receiving personal beliefs of Xtianism.

Answer 1

The Tenach does not talk about a messiah who will be a miserable failure!

On the contrary, the Tenach prophesise the greatness of the coming Messiah and that God is surely with him (Immanuel) and God's angels will always protect him.

Apart from being a Jew he did not match any quality of being the Messiah.

Answer 2

If you read the text “Literally” , Isaiah is clearly speaking about a “righteous person” and not a nation. The only way a “National” interpretation could be seen is if you put words and meaning into Isaiah that are not there.

In the beginning of Isaiah 52, the hopeless situation of Israel is presented. The Lord’s people are captives in a foreign land and seem without hope. In verse one, Jerusalem is told to put on your “Beautiful garments” because a day is coming when the “unclean” will no longer be part of the city. This is a day in the future when Jerusalem and Israel are redeemed.

1 Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean Shall no longer come to you.2 Shake yourself from the dust, arise; Sit down, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!

Israel is the one in need of “Redemption”, they are the captives in a foreign land, they are helpless. The Lord is the one who is coming to their aid.
The evidence a “Man” and not a nation is the referent is very clear from the words used here to describe the servant. The term, “His visage was marred more then any man” is clearly making a comparison between the servant and other men. The Hebrew word, Xya 'iysh means, man and is used over 1000 times in the Tanakh, to mean just that.

“My Servant” the Lord’s servant, his “Holy Arm” (Isaiah 52:10, 53:1, 59:16), accomplishes Israel’s redemption.
Who is this person, called the “Servant”? He is called the “Arm of the Lord” in the very first verse of the 53rd chapter. Who is the “Arm of the Lord”? Isaiah 59:16 tells us it’s the Lord Himself. The Lord Himself will come to His people and the world will see the “Salvation” of God.

Answer 3

Israel portrays Christ.

Joseph portrays Christ.

Abraham offering Isaac portrays Christ.

From Genesis to Revelation it is all about Jesus Christ.

The Bible is not all about the Jews. It is not all about the Gentiles. The Bible is all about God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit and all are One.

St. Gregory and the church did all they could to keep the Bible God's Holy Word from us. However, God said in the latter days knowledge would increase. That not only means man's knowledge but the knowledge of the Word of God.

Answer 4

Well, yeah.

The suffering servant is clearly identified as the nation of Israel.

People might be led to believe otherwise if they ONLY read this one verse (verse 53) and are told this is "talking about Jesus"

Answer 5

Jesus is the Messiah because God is not only merciful but, just and it is his justice that is fulfilled in our suffering and death so to have his justice still function and also to be merciful, he had to suffer along with us in a marriage covenant so that he gets what we get in order for us to get what he got -- eternal life. In this there is no greater service to the Almighty Father than to do his will for the love of him who made all.

Answer 6

that does not mean it did not aply to Jesus as well as psalm 22 did and many other verses from the torah.

Answer 7

Jesus was here in a human for, but He was God.He suffered. He taught us to serve one another. :)