October 2

"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand."—Isaiah 53:10.

LET us now observe concerning the sufferings of Christ,

THEIR HIGH SANCTION. "It pleased the Lord to bruise him." We shall give four reasons for this.

Because it was in accordance with the Divine appointment. In the counsels of eternity it was agreed that Christ should undertake the work of our salvation. There was no constraint; all was voluntary on his part.

Because it was for the accomplishment of the Divine purposes. The Father felt a pleasure in the fulfilment of the promises and predictions of his word, as well as the purposes of his love, though it was at such a vast expense.

Because it was for the satisfaction of Divine justice. The law of God had been violated, and the justice of God offended; reparation must be made for the one, and satisfaction given to the other. Both are achieved in the atonement of Christ.

Because it was for the display of the Divine attributes. The perfections of God are seen in all his works, but they are manifested in the most glorious manner in the cross of Christ. There is no abrupt edge, no sudden line; it resembles the natural tint of undecomposed sunlight, where all is seen equally and fully. Each divine attribute shines with equal splendor.

THEIR GLORIOUS RESULTS. Three are here stated:

Length of days. "He shall prolong his days." He was cut off out of the land of the living; but the prophet refers to his life after his resurrection.

A numerous offspring. "He shall see his seed." The word in the Hebrew is plural, "seeds." This intimates the greatness of the number. "A seed shall serve him." He shall always, while the world stands, have a peculiar people in it, to show forth his praises.

Complete success. "And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." Observe the fact implied. Human redemption is the pleasure of the Lord—a work in which God delights. The appointment made. This work is in the Redeemer's hand. The success insured. It shall prosper. May the glorious designs of the Saviour's atonement be accomplished in my heart!