Numbered with the transgressors...

"...He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors..."--Isaiah 53:12.  This passage is taken from one of the most famous passages in the Old Testament regarding Christ.  Isaiah 53:1-12 paints a graphic picture of what the Messiah would suffer.  In just 12 verses we see what a terrible death our Lord and Savior would die.

Isaiah 53:3-12 uses the following words and phrases to describe the way most of the world would see Christ and the way He would die:

"He was despised and forsaken of men." and "A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (v.3).

"Our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried" and "Smitten of God, and afflicted." (v. 4)

"He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities," and "by His scourging we are healed." (v. 5)

"The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." (v. 6)

"He was oppressed and He was afflicted." He was "Like a lamb led to the slaughter" (v. 7)

"By oppression and judgment He was taken away." (v. 8)

"His grave was assigned with wicked men yet He was with a rich man in His death because He had done no violence." (v. 9)

"The Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief...And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand." (v. 10)

"As a result of the anguish of His soul...My Servant will justify the many as He will bear their iniquities." (v. 11)

And finally, "Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great...Because he poured out Himself to death and was numbered with the transgressors, yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors." (v. 12).

I have to admit that while I have always been aware of this chapter, this is the first time I have read it through in its entirety.  I read this chapter and it paints a picture of that brutal road that Christ carried the same cross he was to be crucified on having been brutally beaten and spat upon.  While the above image is graphic, I don't believe any portrayal of Christ's crucifixion would do justice to the magnitude of the suffering our Savior went through for you and for me.

As a result, Jesus is asking you and for me to commit our lives to Him and obey the gospel. What will you do?