Morning, March 30, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“He was numbered with the transgressors.” — Isaiah 53:12

Why did Jesus tolerate himself to be classified among sinners? This wonderful descent to that level was justified by many powerful reasons. In such a character he could better become their advocate. In some trials there is an identification of the counsellor with the client, and they are looked upon in the eye of the law as inseparable from one another. Now, when the sinner is brought to the bar, Jesus appears there himself. He stands to answer the accusation. He points to his side, his hands, his feet, and challenges Justice to bring anything against the sinners whom he represents; he pleads his blood, and pleads so triumphantly, being numbered with them and having a part with them, that the Judge proclaims, “Let them go their way; deliver them from going down into the pit, for he has found a ransom.” Our Lord Jesus was numbered with the transgressors in order that they might feel their hearts drawn towards him. Who can be afraid of one who is written in the same list with us? Surely, we may come boldly to him, and confess our guilt. He who is numbered with us cannot condemn us. Was he not put down in the transgressor’s list that we might be written in the roll of the saints? He was holy, and written among the holy; we were guilty, and numbered among the guilty; he transfers his name from the holy list to this black indictment, and our names are taken from the indictment and written in the roll of acceptance, for there is a complete transfer made between Jesus and his people. All our condition of misery and sin Jesus has taken; and all that Jesus has comes to us. His righteousness, his blood, and everything that he has, he gives us as our marriage gift. Rejoice, believer, in your union to him who was numbered among the transgressors; and prove that you are truly saved by being strikingly numbered with those who are new creatures in him.