His Intercession
WHAT THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES SAY…
And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was
numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:11-12)
WHAT THE RABBINIC WRITINGS SAY…
The expression "My Servant" they [certain contemporary commentators] compare rashly with Isaiah 41:8 "thou Israel art my servant", where the prophet is speaking of the people of Israel (which would be singular): here, however, he does not mention Israel, but a simply says "My Servant": we cannot therefore understand the word in the same sense ... I am pleased to interpret it in accordance with the teaching of our rabbis of the King Messiah, and will be careful, so far as I am able, to adhere to the literal sense: thus, possibly, I shall be free from the forced far-fetched interpretations of which others have been guilty. (Rabbi Moshe Kohen ibn Crispin, circa 1350 CE)
He (Messiah) shall intercede for many sins, and the rebellious for his sake will be forgiven. (Targum Jonathan)
The fact is it refers to King Messiah. "He was counted with the transgressors," because they appointed his grave by the wicked, He will intercede for the transgressors, and for those who rise up against Him. (Herz Homberg, 1749-1841)
WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT SAYS…
Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)
Who is he who condemns? It is Messiah who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)
Therefore He [Jesus] is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
