Christ in the Old Testament

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
    and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
    and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
    and made intercession for the transgressors. (NIV)

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 53:10-12

Jehovah God, the Father, is speaking from the middle of verse 11 through verse 12. He tells us the rewards He will give His Son to begin chapter 12. Then He gives us four specific works of Jesus that are deserving of these rewards:

1. “He poured out his life unto death.”
2. He “was numbered with the transgressors.”
3. “He bore the sin of many.”
4. He “made intercession for the transgressors.”

Jesus poured out his life unto death. The Hebrew word for “poured” is ʽārâ meaning “empty, exposed or naked.” It speaks to the deliberate act of taking off or pouring out. For instance:

• “So she quickly emptied (ʽārâ) her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels” (Gen 24:20).
• “Whenever the chest was brought in by the Levites to the king’s officials and they saw that there was a large amount of money, the royal secretary and the officer of the chief priest would come and empty (ʽārâ) the chest and carry it back to its place” (2 Chron 24:11).
• “Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. ‘Tear it down (ʽārâ),’ they cried, ‘tear it down (ʽārâ) to its foundations!’” (Ps 137:7).
• “You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped (ʽārâ) him from head to foot” (Hab 3:13).

Stripped of his clothing, Jesus was fully exposed on the cross. Even more, his flesh was stripped exposing his bones and muscles. Then he poured out his blood, completely emptying himself unto death. The verb is in the perfect tense indicating to us that the “pouring out” is a completed act – one and done. The author of Hebrews also emphasizes this:

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Heb 9:27-28).

“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb 10:10).

We are actually continually being made holy by the one time sacrificial offering of Jesus. Jesus one-time act in the past has an ongoing effect for all eternity.

We are also reminded of what Paul says using similar language:

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me” (Phil 2:14-18).

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Tim 4:6-8).

As Christ-followers, we are called to willingly pour ourselves out for the cause of Christ. Through the sacrifice of our time, money and desires, we give ourselves to those around us so that through our emulation of Jesus, the world will look to him for their salvation. When we pour out our gifts and talents for the benefit of others, that is when we look most like Jesus. It is our one true calling:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Rom 12:1).

Today’s Prayer: Thank you Jesus for completely pouring yourself out for me. You are worthy of all my praise! Help me today to pour myself out to those around me so that they can see you.