Neil C Richards
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.
(Isaiah 53:11)
There can be no doubt that Isaiah 53 represents the high-water mark
of Old Testament revelation. No chapter from Genesis to Malachi casts
more light on the saving work of Christ, on his cross and his atonement.
All the great features of the work of Christ are here: his suffering and
death; the substitutionary and sacrificial character of that death; his
exaltation and final victory over death; his power to pardon and justify
sinners; and his intercession for his people.
Our text varies little in modern translations. There does seem some
support for the addition of the word ‘light’ – ‘Out of the
anguish of his soul he will see light and be satisfied’ (see NIV and
ESV margin), but that does not affect the sense of the verse. We are
reminded here that our Saviour not only suffered and died, but that he
was exalted. He shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days,
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand (v10).
His sufferings are over, the great guilt offering has been made; now
he can gather his people with sovereign dignity and power, as the Victor
who takes the spoil (v12). In the light of the New Testament this means
his resurrection, ascension and kingly reign. Notice the certainty
expressed here: he shall see… he shall prolong; here is
all the certainty of Divine purpose. What comfort and strength there is
for us here who feel our own weakness and the hardness of an unbelieving
world. The gospel shall triumph, sinners shall be saved and the church
shall be built.
But there is more here in this verse. Because the Servant's
sufferings were so great, he will have great satisfaction in their
achievement. Christ has not shed his blood in vain. The cross does not
simply make the salvation of sinners possible - it secures that
salvation for a multitude given to him by the Father.
‘Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved, to sin no more.’
(William Cowper)
What a wonder this is! Our Saviour looks back on Calvary, with all
its crushing burden and anguish of soul, with perfect satisfaction,
knowing that the whole salvation of his people was achieved there. So,
like Bunyan's Pilgrim, we lose our burden at the cross. The work is done
and all is finished.
‘Payment God cannot twice demand,
First from my bleeding Surety's hand
And then again from mine.’
If Christ is satisfied with his work then so should you be. Bring
your troubled conscience to the cross and gaze again on him who poured
out his soul unto death for you. Not only is this text comforting to
those of us who trust in Christ, it is also a great incentive to
evangelism and gospel witness. Here is an atonement of infinite worth,
so we preach Christ to all as the Saviour of the world, and yet an
atonement that achieves its divine purpose and so brings satisfaction to
Christ himself.
