Preached in Maryburgh, Ross-shire, on 16 July 1882, and edited.
Isaiah 53:11: He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.
These words call attention to the righteous Servant, His great atoning work, and the blessings which He consequently has to bestow.
1. The Righteous Servant.
He was the Servant of the Father, as the Father was the representative of the Godhead.
In the exercise of His sovereignty He had purposed the salvation of the elect.
It was His to see that this purpose was suitably fulfilled.
For this the Son was set up from everlasting.
He engaged as Mediator to fulfil the Father’s purpose.
In that position He was acting outside the Divine sphere.
As Mediator He was subject to Him who sent Him.
2. His Righteousness.
He was righteous in view of the work given Him to do. Think of His personal righteousness. Think of the exercise of it in coming to do the Father’s will (Ps 40:8). Think of the display of His righteousness in His work (Ps 45:4). Think of His righteousness meeting the law’s claims to justice. Think of His being righteousness in His finished work. Think of His right to the redemption of all His people acknowledged.
3. Bearing Their Iniquities.
There could be no justifying without atonement. Bearing their iniquities implies the imputation of them to Him. He bore the penalty due to all His redeemed people. He bore these iniquities away in His death, making an end of them.
4. He Shall Justify Many.
He acts as Prince in sending forth the Holy Spirit to regenerate. He presents His people to the Father in union with Himself.
5. His Knowledge.
This is knowledge of Him by them who are justified and given to Him. He is the Object and Author of this knowledge. Without this knowledge no one can be justified.
Application.
They who lack this knowledge should ask for it. All who lack it at death are lost.