It may be difficult enough to believe that the savior of the world would be oppressed, rejected, cut off, and killed for our transgressions, but now the prophet Isaiah makes clear that it was the Lord’s will for this to happen? How can this be?
Let’s read verse ten in Isaiah 53:
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 53:10 (NIV)
These are hard words. It’s hard to believe our salvation required such violence against an innocent man, and yet, this is the truth.
From the moment man sinned in the Garden of Eden, sacrifice was required. The first time blood was shed was a result of Adam and Eve’s transgression. The Lord himself, who had earlier enjoyed time in this earthly paradise with his creation, now would banish them from his presence. An animal was killed to provide the garments of skin to cover the symbol of their shame—nakedness.
Yet, that was all it did—provide a temporary covering not an eternal one. That shame was much greater and required a guilt offering that could only be met by a sacrifice worthy of the task. Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man, he alone was pure and holy enough to be that sacrifice.
A brutal murder yielded only a temporary death because God would raise him up to life again in victory over the eternal death we deserved.
No earthly offspring would he have, but spiritual, eternal children, birthed through the new birth that comes by faith in the One who gave his all. Spiritual children and prolonged days, eternity long days, would be the result of Christ’s obedience.
The Lord’s will would be accomplished, prosper, in the hand of Jesus.
What looks so horrible, what was so horrible, brought us life, not just for today, but for the life to come. Can you believe that message? I pray you do, as it is the difference between life and death. May you accept the guilt offering of Christ today. His sacrifice removes our stain.
Grace and Peace