Isaiah 53:7-9 (NLT)
“He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.”
Matthew 27 is a fascinating read just after you have read the passage above. Jesus is betrayed, treated harshly, remains silent while on trial, and is led to his death carrying a cross on his back. Even most of his disciples were no where to be found in that scene — only some of the women and the disciple John stood by as he died. The type of death (by crucifixion) was a criminal’s punishment and he was buried in the tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea who was a rich man following Jesus.
The book of Matthew was written for the Jewish audience. The intent was to demonstrate the specific parallels between the Old Testament prophets and what happened in the life of Jesus. The details line up exactly because that is the point of the story. The fact that he clearly fit the description of the Messiah is the main point. There is no question that Matthew and the early followers of Jesus truly believed he was the Messiah who had fulfilled the prophecies long foretold.
God knew far in advance who Jesus was and how he would come. He gave his people all the information they needed to recognize him when he came. Yet not everyone believed that Jesus was the Messiah. How could this be? There is room for disbelief because people see what they expect to see. We do the same thing today. If you expect earthly systems and governments to save you (or legislate morality for the world) then you will look for your Redeemer among earthly leaders. If you expect the supernatural, you will see the Spirit of God moving in ways that are humanly impossible. No matter what, if God has said he will do something then he will do it. The Bible is full of promises we can expect God to fulfill as he delivers on his plan to rescue us.