Isaiah 53

We know that Isa.53 is about the life and experience of Jesus. But to what extent does this describe our experience? Namely the experience of the people of God as they come to the close of this world’s history. I have written below a line of texts that seem to indicate that the last generation of Christians are indeed called to follow very closely in the footsteps of their Saviour.
This last generation of Christians will be bruised and beaten as was their Saviour. There is a very real spiritual battle that is going on right now. Jesus sufferings didn’t begin on the Friday of the crucifixion. Even the previous night, in Gethsamane, He begged to be released from His awful burden. (Matt.26:38,39) This is what God’s people are experiencing as they learn about intercession. By their “knowledge” many will be justified. This will bring light and salvation to many. But will lead to spiritual harassment not previously realized.

Isaiah 53:11 NKJV
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,

Isaiah 53:12 NKJV
And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Philippians 1:29 ESV
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

John 20:23 NKJV
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Philippians 3:10 NKJV
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Colossians 1:24 NKJV
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

1 Peter 2:21 NKJV
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Isaiah 53:10-11 ESV
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.

In the book Desire of Ages we read the following statement:  “Of all the blessings that Heaven can bestow, fellowship with Christ in his sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honour”.

This should introduce us to a degree of closeness with God that has not been commonly realized. It takes us back to a time when Jacob wrestled with God on behalf of his family. (Gen.32:25-30) Jacob didn’t really know what he was doing but he wrestled intently with this person. This has been referred to as the time of  “Jacobs trouble”. It was actually a painful time for Jacob but actually a time of great reward.

Genesis 32:25,28,30 ESV
When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. [28] Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” [30] So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

As if to draw attention to that, the Psalmist says the following:

Psalm 46:11 KJV
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge...

Both Jacob and David knew what it was to wrestle with God on behalf of others.

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