ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 TU’APULELULU NOVEMA 9, 2023

Wounded Intercessor

Kuo ne hufekina ‘a e kau angahala. 

ISAIAH 53:6, 12

ALL WE LIKE SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY; WE HAVE TURNED-EVERY ONE-TO HIS OWN WAY; AND THE LORD HAS LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL… YET HE BORE THE SIN OF MANY, AND MAKES INTERCESSION FOR THE TRANSGRESSORS.

‘Aisea 53:6, 12

6 Kuo tau hē kotoa pē hangē ha fanga sipi; kuo tau afe takitaha ‘i hono hala ‘o‘ona; pea kuo ‘ai ‘e Sihova ke lave kiate ia ‘a e hia ‘atautolu kotoa pē. 12 Ko ia ai, te u vahe hano ‘inasi fakataha mo ha‘a mā‘olunga, pea te ne tufa ‘a e vete fakataha mo ha‘a mālohi; koe‘uhi na‘a ne lilingi hono laumālie ke ‘osi, ‘o pekia, ‘o ne tuku ke lau ia fakataha mo e kau angahala: ‘osi, kuo ne fua ‘a e angahala ‘a e tokolahi, pea kuo ne hufekina ‘a e kau angahala.

Consider these two phrases: "He hit upon an idea" and "He hit at him." The same verb ("hit") joined to different prepositions ("upon" and "at") conveys two very different meanings. We see something similar in Isaiah's masterful words. The same Hebrew verb, paga, is used for "laid on him" and "makes intercession," but two different prepositions are joined to it. Paga basically suggests touching or making contact. Sometimes this is generic ("meeting or making contact with someone" 1 Sam. 10:5) and sometimes it is violent ("falling upon someone to kill them" Judg. 8:21). But paga can also mean making contact in the sense of "pressuring, entreating, interceding."

The double-paga of the Messiah is this: God "touches him" or "makes fall upon him" our iniquity (v. 6). He becomes the world's sin-bearer. But he also "touches" or "makes contact" with the Father "for the transgressors" (v. 12). On him our iniquity is laid, and he laid his petitions for us before God. He is thus both sacrifice (bearer of sin) and priest (intercessor for sinners) so that in him the many are "accounted righteous" (v. 11).

Holy Jesus, our atoning sacrifice and great high priest, forgive us and pray for us poor sinners.