7.21- Despised for All of This
7.21-
Despised
for All of This Isaiah
53:3-12 Tim
Gustafson
Susannah Cibber gained fame in the
eighteenth century for her talent as a singer. However, she was equally well
known for her scandalous marital problems. That’s why when Handel’s Messiah
was first performed in Dublin in April 1742, many in the audience did not
approve of her role as a featured soloist.
During that inaugural performance, Cibber
sang of the Messiah: “He is despised and reject of men; a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Those words so moved Rev. Patrick Delany
that he jumped to his feet and said, “Woman, for this be all your sins
forgiven!”
The connection between Susannah Cibber and
the theme of Handel’s Messiah is evident. The “man of
sorrows” – Jesus the Messiah – was “despised and rejected” because of sin. The
prophet Isaiah said, “My righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear
their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11).
The connection between Messiah and us is no
less apparent. Whether we stand with the judgmental audience members, with
Susannah Cibber, or somewhere in between, we all need to repent and receive
God’s forgiveness. Jesus, by His life, death and resurrection, restored our
relations with God our Father.
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