Grafted in Grace: The Cross as the Nexus of Israel’s Covenant and the Church’s Mission
John 19:17-19
So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
Jesus, despite being weakened by Pilate's scourging and the humiliation at the hands of Caiaphas, now carries his cross to Golgotha. This act of submission symbolizes his willing acceptance of the Father’s will and the weight of humanity’s sin. The name Golgotha evokes death and desolation, yet it becomes the site of mankind's ultimate redemption. Jesus is placed between two criminals, fulfilling prophecy (Isaiah 53:12) and highlighting his identification with sinners.
Isaiah 53:12
"Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors."
This prophecy is widely regarded in Christian theology as a prophetic depiction of Jesus Christ’s redemptive work. Isaiah 53 is part of the "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 52–53), where God’s chosen Servant (Messiah) is described as one who suffers to redeem others.
The "portion with the many" signifies Christ’s triumph over death, sharing his victory with believers. Bringing spiritual and physical healing. In Against Celsus, Origen (c. 184–253), interprets the "many" as the church, those redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice. The "strong" are the faithful who share in Christ’s victory through perseverance. Origen sees this as evidence of Jesus’ divine mission, transforming suffering into eternal reward.
Justin Martyr (c. 100–165), connects this to Psalm 110:1, seeing Jesus’ exaltation at God’s right hand as fulfillment.
The Lord says to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool."
Tertullian (c. 155–240), emphasizes that this was not a disgrace but divine humility. The image of Jesus crucified between two criminals was a stumbling block for many, but Tertullian sees it as proof of prophecy fulfilled. It underscores Jesus’ solidarity with the guilty to save them.
In his Letter to the Ephesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–108), connects Isaiah 53:12 to Jesus’ role as the one who takes on humanity’s sin. He sees the cross as the moment where Jesus embraces the world’s brokenness, fulfilling the prophecy of being among transgressors.
The Roman's meant for the inscription "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews," to instill fear in the hearts and minds of everyone who watched Jesus pass by as he carried his cross along the Via Dolorosa (Latin for 'Sorrowful Way', often translated 'Way of Suffering'. Though meant as mockery, this sign proclaims his true kingship, aligning with the exaltation promised in Isaiah 53:12 and Psalm 110:1.
In Midrash Tehillim (on Psalms, ca. 3rd–4th century), the [Messiah] Servant’s vindication is tied to Israel’s ultimate redemption, not an individual’s triumph. And they aren't wrong. I think it's really both. This dual interpretation aligns with the richness of biblical prophecy, which often operates on multiple levels. By exploring and embracing this "both/and" perspective, we can deepen our meditation on the gospel.
The collective view is seen as Israel’s suffering in exile, persecution, and faithfulness and it serves as a witness to the nations, leading to its vindication and restoration. And of course, in the mind of the church, it is serving likewise. I don't see this as an either/or situation. The "many" in Isaiah 53:12 are the nations who benefit from Israel’s and "The Churches" role, and the "strong" are the faithful remnant of Israel and "The Church". I believe there is plenty of depth in the prophecy to allow for both, for it to point to both Israel’s historical and ongoing role as God’s chosen people and to be renewed in the grafting in of the Christian faith. The Church’s suffering, faithfulness, and proclamation of the Gospel extends the redemptive work begun by Israel and ultimately fulfilled by Jesus.
This perspective sees God’s redemptive plan as continuous. Israel’s suffering prepares the way, Jesus fulfills it through the cross, and the Church carries it forward, all culminating in the vindication promised in Isaiah 53:12 and Psalm 110:1.
Further Exploration:
Romans 11:17-24
"But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree"
The patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and God’s covenant promise to Israel is the root. The reference to Israel (some of the branches were broken off), were "broken off" due to unbelief (their rejection of Jesus as Messiah). The Gentile believers, are the "Wild Shoots", grafted into the covenant through faith in Jesus Christ's gospel. Both the "remnants" and the "grafted in", share in the "nourishing root" of Israel’s covenant. And this brings to mind Jesus' teachings on "The Vine".
John 15:1-8
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
The cross on Golgotha symbolizes the "wild olive shoot" (Gentile believers grafted in through faith in Christ), sharing in the nourishing root of Israel's covenant. This stands in stark contrast to this idea of "supersessionism", aka replacement theology, which proposes that the Church has replaced or superseded Israel as God’s covenant people, often minimizing or negating Israel’s ongoing role in God’s redemptive plan.
I reject this idea of "replacement theology" and I believe that the New Testament supports my belief. The easiest way to understand this concept is to look at the Apostle Paul (formerly Saul a Jewish Pharisee). Obviously, Israel is not cut off forever, incapable of redemption, since Paul was redeemed in Christ and through his work the early Christian faith thrived. Paul’s transformation and pivotal role in the early Church underscores the continuity of God’s covenant with Israel.
Romans 11:1-2: Paul asks,
"Has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew."
Paul’s redemption is evidence that Israel is not cut off forever. Paul’s inclusion as a "natural branch" in the olive tree (Romans 11:17) demonstrates that believing Jews remain part of the "nourishing root" (Israel’s covenant). The Church, through Paul’s mission, reaches the "many" (nations), with the "strong" uniting Jewish and Gentile believers. His life rejects supersessionism’s claim that Israel is "cut off forever."
In Conclusion:
Jesus at Golgotha's cross is the pivotal act of fulfillment, not the replacement of the Jewish people. It's their prophecy that was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. The people of Israel were in darkness and a great light has come (Isaiah 9) in a son, a person, the wonderful councilor, mighty God. This is the God/Man as promised in Micah 5. And this was all going to happen before the destruction of the temple. Which did happen in 70 AD. Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2), and people called him God. Making him the Messiah fulfilling Micah 5. And the remnant Jews are being called to Him in the Christian faith. It's finished in Jesus and that cross at Golgotha. The Jewish Jesus is the root for the whole world, Gentile and Jew.
Those of us Gentile "wild shoots" should pray for these remnant Jews to have ears to hear and eyes to see. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ, even though they don't know Him yet. They need to hear the gospel. And the Gentile's faith should provoke the Jews to faith in Christ.
The apostle Paul put it this way:
Romans 11:11-14
"So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them."
This provocation is not malicious but redemptive, aiming to spur Israel’s "full inclusion". Today we must ask Jesus to make our lives a fruitful witness, provoking others to seek Him. Pray for Israel’s restoration and Jewish-Christian unity, asking God to use our witness to provoke jealousy redemptively. Pray for Jesus, the "true vine," to graft you deeper into His redemption, bearing fruit to provoke others.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, True Vine and Suffering Servant, you grafted the nourishing root of Israel’s covenant into your life at Golgotha, redeeming the many, including Paul. Thank you for proving through his life that Israel is not cut off, uniting us in your victory. Help me abide in you, bearing fruit for the nations as one of the strong, and pray for Israel’s restoration. May your cross inspire me today. Amen.