Jesus Rose from the Dead to Give Us Life

Isaiah 53:10 says, "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." Though He was down, He was not defeated. His ministry did not end with His death. Death gave way to victory. He rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us with the Father.

Even in death He was victorious. He defeated death to give us new life. "For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him" (Rom. 6:9, NIV). The Suffering Servant was the Lamb of God. He took away our sin and to "see His seed" and to "prolong His days," He rose up from the grave.

"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" (Isaiah 53:11). He is coming again! Verses 10-11 say so. "He shall see His seed" (v. 10) literally means to "gaze at," emphasizing being present with them. "He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied" (v. 11a) is the idea of being filled, content, even "enriched" in our presence.

The Servant bore sin to justify the many (v. 11b). He brought salvation and He will take us unto Himself when He returns. "Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong" (v. 12a). This refers to victory, dividing the spoil, and ruling. He will return to rule the nations. We will join Him in victory and rule with Him.

"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" (v. 12b). Jesus came with a purpose—to die for our sin. Crucified with criminals (Luke 22:37), He "was numbered with the transgressors." But He fulfilled His purpose. He bore our sin. He provided for our forgiveness. He gave us new life.

Now He is making "intercession for the transgressors" (v. 12b). He is praying for the very people who had transgressed against God—that is you and me! "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). What began on the cross, continues in heaven. Jesus is praying for you right now.

Take a good look. Jesus died for you and He is praying for you. By faith, receive Him and follow Him. Amen.