By his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous. Isaiah 53:11
Isaiah has already told us how Jesus justifies us, and here, he tells us how that justification can become ours: “by his knowledge,” or “by the knowledge of him.” E. J. Young writes that this knowledge is, “a knowledge that approximates faith.”
Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). We are justified by faith, and the Bible describes faith in different ways. Faith is looking to Jesus, trusting in Jesus, finding hope in Jesus, and knowing Jesus.
Those who know Jesus by faith are many. Jesus will “make many to be accounted righteous.” He will not be disappointed with the outcome of His suffering. Jesus did not endure the agony of the cross for a few people, He died so many would be accounted righteous. He died so a vast multitude would be brought into the glorious presence of God and enjoy Him forever.
Jesus sees that crowd in heaven. He knows every one of them has been redeemed by His death on the cross, and He is satisfied. He counts all He suffered on the cross to be well worth it.
Many means it will not be a few; but it also means it will not be all. The Bible never teaches that everyone will be justified, and the greatest question you will ever face is how you can be among the many. The Bible gives the clearest possible answer: “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
How can ordinary people be justified or accounted righteous?
