10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
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 sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:10-12
God’s Will is Best (Verse 10)
This was all in God’s plan.
It was God’s will “to crush him.” It was God’s will “to put him to grief.”
Because it was God’s will for many to be accounted righteous.
This is the will that Jesus made “prosper in his hand.” He knew that His willingness to perfectly walk in His Father’s will would mean many would be saved. He knew that the best way was God’s way, even though it was the hardest way.
And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:41-42
No matter how it looks, God’s will is always best.
The Cross Worked (Verse 11)
He shall see and be satisfied.
Many shall be accounted righteous
He shall bear our iniquities.
It happened, and yes, it is happening now. Because of Jesus willing sacrifice on the cross on our behalf, these promises are fulfilled. Each and every day more of His beloved children come into Jesus’ loving eternal embrace because of His permanent sacrifice.
He Continues to Intercede for You (Verse 12)
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:34
To intercede means to plead on another’s behalf. Jesus took our horrific punishment two thousand years ago and still even now He continues on your behalf.
No matter what sin you think is too big to overcome, He is pleading for you.
No matter what weight of suffering you bear He reaches to take it from you.
The Suffering Servant’s Extravagant Love
Jesus’ pain on our behalf is the fullest expression of love ever known in the universe.
This is the impossible gift of our suffering servant – when we deserve it least, He gives it most. When we should be bound and punished and cast away, He loosens us, He redeems us, He gathers us in like a hen gathering chicks under her wings.
This is Easter – this is the mystery and the gift and the hope.
When evil takes innocence, when fear drives every decision, when the lion prowls at your very own door, when the darkness is so thick you think you will never see again, that is when the Suffering Servant reaches in, with His precious pierced and bloody hands and says
I see.
I know.
Come to me.
He has experienced every temptation, every pain, every single drop of sweat and blood and tears and grief. And His love is so absolute, so thoroughly full for you, that He weeps with you. He rejoices in your every choice to walk with Him. He tenderly forgives your straying. He waits for you constantly.
He never fails. He never wavers. His hope is always with you.
Jesus’ death on the cross was about eternity, and it was about today.
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16a
Rejoice in His love, beloved!
For further study
- Read Isaiah 53:10 – What aspect of God’s will in your life do you feel He is calling you to focus attention on “prospering” right now? Read John 5:19.
- Read Isaiah 53:11 – Meditate on Jesus bearing your iniquities (sin.) Do you deserve this? Read Romans 21-28.
- Read Isaiah 53:12 – Praise Jesus for His intercession for you. Write a prayer of thanksgiving to Him for His extravagant love! Read Hebrews 7:25
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