Morning By Morning #90

He…was numbered with the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

Why do you think Jesus allowed Himself to be listed or “numbered” with sinners? This wonderful act of humbling Himself was justified for many powerful reasons. By humbling Himself, He could be a better advocate for sinners, “one who speaks to the Father in our defense” (1 John 2:1). Often an attorney identifies very strongly with his client and, in fact, the eye of the law views the two as one in a legal sense. So when a sinner is summoned to court, Jesus appears there in his stead and takes the stand Himself to answer the accusation. He points to His side, His hands, and His feet, and then challenges Justice to bring any charge against the sinner He represents. He pleads His own blood and does it so triumphantly—being “numbered with the transgressors”—that the Judge proclaims, “Let the defendant go. ‘Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him’” (Job 33:24).

Also, Jesus “was numbered with the transgressors” in order that sinners may feel their hearts being drawn toward Him. Who could ever be afraid of someone whose name has been written on the same list with us? Surely we may come boldly to Him and confess our guilt, for He who is numbered with us cannot condemn us. Wasn’t He listed with us sinners that we might be listed with the saints whose names have been written in His blood? Remember—He was holy and listed among the holy, while we were guilty and numbered with the guilty. But He transferred His name from the holy list to the dark list of indictment, and removed our names from the indictment and wrote them on the list of acceptance. In this way there was a complete transfer made between Jesus and His people.

Thus, Jesus has taken upon Himself our total state of misery and sin, and all He has comes to us. His righteousness, His blood, and everything He inherited from the Father He gives as the dowry to us who are known as His bride. So rejoice, dear believer, in your union with Him who “was numbered with the transgressors,” and prove you are truly saved by living a life that makes it abundantly clear you are “numbered with” those who are “a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17) in Him.

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Jesus came to earth to identify with us that we may identify with Him in glory. God the Son humbled Himself to become man or, as John said, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Here is how the writer of Hebrews expressed this profound truth:

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:14 – 17

Lord, how grateful I am Jesus was willing to be “numbered with the transgressors”—even me! May my walk continually express my gratitude.