he person. (1-3) sufferings. (4-9) humiliation, and
exaltation of Christ, are minutely described; with the blessings
to mankind from his death. (10-12)
Verses 1-3: No where in all the Old Testament is it so plainly and
fully prophesied, that Christ ought to suffer, and then to enter
into his glory, as in this chapter. But to this day few discern,
or will acknowledge, that Divine power which goes with the word.
The authentic and most important report of salvation for
sinners, through the Son of God, is disregarded. The low
condition he submitted to, and his appearance in the world, were
not agreeable to the ideas the Jews had formed of the Messiah.
It was expected that he should come in pomp; instead of that, he
grew up as a plant, silently, and insensibly. He had nothing of
the glory which one might have thought to meet with him. His
whole life was not only humble as to outward condition, but also
sorrowful. Being made sin for us, he underwent the sentence sin
had exposed us to. Carnal hearts see nothing in the Lord Jesus
to desire an interest in him. Alas! by how many is he still
despised in his people, and rejected as to his doctrine and
authority!
Verses 4-9: In these verses is an account of the sufferings of Christ;
also of the design of his sufferings. It was for our sins, and
in our stead, that our Lord Jesus suffered. We have all sinned,
and have come short of the glory of God. Sinners have their
beloved sin, their own evil way, of which they are fond. Our
sins deserve all griefs and sorrows, even the most severe. We
are saved from the ruin, to which by sin we become liable, by
laying our sins on Christ. This atonement was to be made for our
sins. And this is the only way of salvation. Our sins were the
thorns in Christ's head, the nails in his hands and feet, the
spear in his side. He was delivered to death for our offences.
By his sufferings he purchased for us the Spirit and grace of
God, to mortify our corruptions, which are the distempers of our
souls. We may well endure our lighter sufferings, if He has
taught us to esteem all things but loss for him, and to love him
who has first loved us.
Verses 10-12: Come, and see how Christ loved us! We could not put him
in our stead, but he put himself. Thus he took away the sin of
the world, by taking it on himself. He made himself subject to
death, which to us is the wages of sin. Observe the graces and
glories of his state of exaltation. Christ will not commit the
care of his family to any other. God's purposes shall take
effect. And whatever is undertaken according to God's pleasure
shall prosper. He shall see it accomplished in the conversion
and salvation of sinners. There are many whom Christ justifies,
even as many as he gave his life a ransom for. By faith we are
justified; thus God is most glorified, free grace most advanced,
self most abased, and our happiness secured. We must know him,
and believe in him, as one that bore our sins, and saved us from
sinking under the load, by taking it upon himself. Sin and
Satan, death and hell, the world and the flesh, are the strong
foes he has vanquished. What God designed for the Redeemer he
shall certainly possess. When he led captivity captive, he
received gifts for men, that he might give gifts to men. While
we survey the sufferings of the Son of God, let us remember our
long catalogue of transgressions, and consider him as suffering
under the load of our guilt. Here is laid a firm foundation for
the trembling sinner to rest his soul upon. We are the purchase
of his blood, and the monuments of his grace; for this he
continually pleads and prevails, destroying the works of the
devil.
he person. (1-3) sufferings. (4-9) humiliation, and
exaltation of Christ, are minutely described; with the blessings
to mankind from his death. (10-12)