Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 WEB
Isaiah’s prophetic words describe the greatness, sacrifice, and suffering of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament gives us the law and God’s promise of the coming redemption of man through faith in Christ. The New Testament shares the Good News of man’s salvation from sin through repentance in faith, believing in the love of God made evident by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Great kings serve their kingdoms with such devotion that they risk and even give their lives to promote the interests of their people. Our Lord did just that. Isaiah’s prophetic words about Christ receiving a “portion with the great” are true. Jesus’ official charge hung above his head on the cross calling him the King of the Jews.
The House of the Strong Man
Further, he spoiled the plans of Satan and his servants, healing the sick, casting out demons, and bringing sinners to repentance. As we read in Matthew 12:29, “Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house. WEB” Although his critics accused him of casting out demons by the power of the ruler of the demons, Christ, in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, bound the evil spirits by the Spirit of God.
Jesus continued to fulfill these prophetic words of Isaiah as he poured out his soul on the cross for the sins of mankind. Although sinless himself, as Isaiah wrote, Christ, “counted among the transgressors,” bore our sins on the cross and restored believers to right standing with God.
Our High Priest
Jesus is our intercessor, our high priest that sacrificed himself that we might live eternally in heaven. Paul writes in Hebrews 4:14, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. NIV” Jesus promises in Matthew 24:13, “But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved. WEB”
Also, in Hebrews 7:25, Paul teaches, “Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them. WEB” In fulfillment of prophecy, the Lord poured out his soul on the cross for our sins becoming our intercessor. As Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the prophetic word of your Old Testament. Thank you for sending your Son as our Savior, that he poured out his soul for our sins.. Give me wisdom to share the truth of your word with the world. Help me to live according to your will. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The Wellspring of Life