Christ in the Old Testament

Isaiah 53:11

After he has suffered,
    he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
    and he will bear their iniquities. (NIV)

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 53:10-12

Again we have some different translations of the first stanza of verse 11:

• “As a result of the anguish of His soul,
  He will see it and be satisfied” (NASB1995)
• “Having suffered, he will reflect on his work,
  he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done” (NET)
• “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied” (NKJV)

The anguish of Jesus’ soul is not a suffering that we fully understand. He was cut off from God on the cross and his soul was made an offering for our sin. What the Levitical law could only symbolize through the sacrifice of animals, Jesus fulfilled and accomplished the work by offering his divine soul in exchange for our’s. His sacrifice was more than offering his body, it was a transaction of the soul. And this suffering of his soul was an even greater suffering than the physical suffering he endured.

The Hebrew word for “soul” is nephesh which encompasses the living being itself – all of our thoughts, emotions and desires. The nephesh is the life of the creature that is separated from the body when we die. This is the part of Jesus that suffered deep anguish. Jesus poured out body and soul for us. He gave us literally everything.

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

His suffering was an atoning sacrifice. We are now reconciled to God. Jesus will see that and be satisfied. He has provided a way for us all to live with him for all eternity. The outcome of all of his suffering is pure and complete satisfaction. The Father is satisfied because our sin is wiped clean and our debt is paid. And the Son is satisfied because he has accomplished the Father’s will.

The Hebrew word for “satisfied” is śābaʽ which is often used with having our belly full of food. But anything can be satisfied – desires, expectations, hopes and dreams. This is another word found in the imperfect tense meaning that Jesus is continually satisfied with his work. He has no regrets. Every new day Jesus is again satisfied in what he accomplished.

Jesus said, “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied” (Luke 6:21). Jesus offers to satisfy more than our physical pains but our entire soul – our thoughts, emotions and desires. He gave his soul as an offering for our’s. We don’t have to wait for eternity to be fully satisfied. We can be fully satisfied in Jesus for as long as we live if we seek his kingdom first and his righteousness first.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt 6:33).

Today’s Prayer: Thank you Jesus for offering your very soul for mine. It gives me great joy to know that when you look at what you’ve done for me, you are fully satisfied. Help me to seek your kingdom before mine today so that I can also be satisfied.