The Servant and His Children (29th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

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This passage is part of the fourth Servant Song in Isaiah, which is also one of the most well known because of how often it is quoted in the New Testament. It is a prophecy of how the servant, the Messiah, will undergo suffering and death to save His people. Because of how clearly it expounds on this theme, Isaiah 53 is considered one of the clearest prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament.

Verses 10-11 is rather curious for what it says about the Servant. The first thing to note is that it says God will prolong His days. Although the Servant is said to die in the preceding verses (8-9), here we see that death is not the end, and that He is given a new lease on life. This is fulfilled in the Resurrection of the Messiah, where God vindicates Him and through Him conquers death.

The second thing to note is that the Servant will see offspring. This reference to offspring is also explained in the NT. The book of Hebrews, quoting from Isaiah 8:18, takes up this theme where it is written: “Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying . . . ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.” (Hebrews 2:11-13). Thus, this reference to offspring should be understood as referring to those who believe in the Messiah.

Finally, the Servant is said to make many to be accounted righteous. This is the theme of Justification, which is elaborated in great detail in St. Paul’s letters, and is one of the key doctrines of the Christian faith. Believers in Jesus are made righteous through Him, and are thereby acquitted of their sins and given access to Heaven. In the process, they are also adopted as God’s children and made partakers of the divine nature (John 1:12-13, 2 Peter 1:4).

As we reflect upon what Christ has done for us, let us give thanks that He has justified us and brought us into God’s holy family.

J. Luis Dizon