Mary amidst the Jewish Messianic expectation (II)

"After he has suffered, he will see the light of life" (Is 53:11).

The mystery of the Messiah who will renew the Covenant and bring forgiveness and salvation to Israel and the nations was at the heart of Israel’s and the Virgin’s messianic expectation, as the time of his coming approached. How would this new Covenant take place? And by what blood would the forgiveness of sins be accomplished?

The images of the Passover Lamb and the scapegoat were present in the spirit of the Virgin, as of all the Jews, but did anyone see that the words of the Prophet Isaiah pointed more closely toward the figure of the Servant of God?

"He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, knowing pain, like one from whom you turn your face, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our pain that he bore, our sufferings he endured. We thought of him as stricken, struck down by God and afflicted, but he was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity. He bore the punishment that makes us whole, by his wounds we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, all following our own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all. Though harshly treated, he submitted and did not open his mouth; Like a lamb led to slaughter or a sheep silent before shearers, he did not open his mouth. Seized and condemned, he was taken away. Who would have thought any more of his destiny? For he was cut off from the land of the living, struck for the sins of his people. He was given a grave among the wicked, a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong, nor was deceit found in his mouth. But it was the LORD’s will to crush him with pain. By making his life as a reparation offering, he shall see his offspring, shall lengthen his days, and the LORD’s will shall be accomplished through him. Because of his anguish he shall see the light; because of his knowledge he shall be content; My servant, the just one, shall justify the many, their iniquity he shall bear" (Is 53:7-12).

The enemies of Wisdom also evoked the death of the righteous one: "Let us lie in wait for the righteous one, because he is annoying to us; he opposes our action... Let us draw the righteous into a trap; he embarrasses us; he boasts of having God as his father; If he is a son of God, He will help him. Let us condemn him to a shameful death" (Wis 2:12-20).

Likewise, the prophet Daniel spoke of an Anointed One (Messiah) "cut down" before “the people of a leader who will come, shall destroy the city and the sanctuary" (Dn 9: 26). But hope always remains: "The LORD’s will shall be accomplished through him. Because of his anguish he shall see the light. By him the will of the Lord will be fulfilled. Following the test endured by his soul, he will see the light and be filled (Is 53:10-11), and the Psalmist always proclaims his trust, even beyond death: "You cannot let your friend see corruption" (Ps 16: 5-11).

The Marie de Nazareth Team