THE SUCCESSFUL SERVANT

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah‬ ‭53:10-12‬‬)

First the cross and then the crown. There is suffering and then there is glory. The story of Jesus does not end with tragedy, but triumph. Indeed, He suffered greatly, but He will reign supremely!  Isaiah concludes this marvelous prophecy of Christ by pointing to the resurrection, ascension, and return of Christ.

His resurrection is inferred in “He shall see His seed.”  Yet, Jesus died without being married or having children. But, His death would make it possible for sinners to become children of God, and because He arose, He would see the fruit of His suffering!  “He shall prolong His days,” in that death could not keep him; the grave could not hold Him. He lives forevermore!

His ascension is implied in how “By His knowledge My Righteous Servant shall justify many,”—that is, knowing Christ today justifies us before God. Not only are our past sins taken care of, but any additional failings, for He “made intercession for the transgressors.”  The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is not just the sacrifice for sin in His death, but in His ascension back to heaven, He is our High Priest who, “always lives to make intercession for [us].” (7:25).

His return is seen in dividing “a portion with the great,” and “the spoil with the strong.”  The spoils of victory are those won by a conquering King. At His second coming, Christ will overthrow all opposition and claim universal dominion. He will share all the wealth of the universe with His Bride, the church, as He reigns in power and glory!

Whose side are you on?  As a follower of Christ, I am assured of being on the winning side!