by esther phinias | 26 July 2024 08:46 am07
The Prophecy
Isaiah 53:12 (NKJV) — “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.
This verse is one of the clearest Messianic prophecies, pointing to the sacrificial death, victory, and exaltation of Jesus Christ. At first reading, it might sound as though Christ is grouped with other “great ones,” as if He shares equal honor with them. But no human being, however righteous, can ever be placed on the same level with Christ (Philippians 2:9–11).
The True Meaning
The phrase “a portion with the great” is best understood in the sense that:
1. Christ has His own unique inheritance—the throne of eternal dominion (Hebrews 1:8).
2. The saints, called “the great” or “the strong,” also receive their portion—the inheritance of the Kingdom prepared for them (Matthew 25:34).
Thus, God the Father is the One who distributes both Christ’s portion and the saints’ portion. Both receive from Him, yet in different ways: Christ as the eternal King and Redeemer, and the saints as co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17).
The Portion of Christ
The “portion” of Christ is His exaltation and everlasting throne. After His death and resurrection, He was exalted above every name:
Philippians 2:9–11 (ESV)
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This portion is also described as His reign at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12–13).
The Portion of the Saints
The saints—described here as the “great” or the “strong”—are those who overcome sin and remain faithful until the end. Their portion is the New Jerusalem, the holy city, which is the inheritance of the redeemed:
Revelation 21:7 (KJV)
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Jesus confirmed that the truly “great” in the Kingdom of God are those who humble themselves like little children:
Matthew 18:3–4 (ESV)
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, the saints’ greatness is not measured by earthly standards, but by humility, faith, and perseverance in Christ.
The Exclusion of the Wicked
On the other hand, those who reject Christ will have no portion in the holy city. Instead, their portion will be eternal separation from God in the lake of fire:
Revelation 21:8 (NKJV)
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Theological Insights
1. Christ as the Greater Joshua: Just as Joshua divided the land among the tribes of Israel (Joshua 11:23), so Christ, through His victory on the cross, distributes the eternal inheritance—giving His portion as the King and sharing the spoils with His people (Ephesians 1:11, Colossians 1:12).
2. Christ’s Portion and Ours Are Interconnected: Believers are called “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). This means that our inheritance is only possible because of His. Without His victory at the cross, there would be no portion for us.
3. The Great Exchange: Christ was “numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 22:37) so that sinners might be numbered with the saints. He bore our sins and intercedes for us, and in return, we share in His glory (John 17:22).
4. Eternal Perspective: Earthly “greatness” fades, but true greatness in God’s eyes belongs to those who follow Christ in humility and obedience. Their portion is eternal, incorruptible, and undefiled (1 Peter 1:4).
Application
May the Lord grant us grace to receive our portion with Christ and the saints in glory.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2024/07/26/how-will-the-lord-jesus-be-allotted-a-portion-with-the-great-isaiah-5312/
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