For example, the NIV says, "Therefore I will give him a portion with the great or many." The NLT says, "I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier." The ESV says, "I will divide him a portion with the many." Clear as mud, you say? Agreed. Perhaps that is the point of the whole verse. The divine prize and purpose of the person of Jesus is so unfathomable that it is too difficult for any language to put into words. Let's try our best to "unmuddy" those waters. Jesus, a child born under suspicious circumstances (at least from the world's perspective), born to poor parents, who lived in a small village of no notable factors ("can anything good come out of Nazareth?"), who was a teacher, but never started a school, who was a great theologian, but never wrote a book, who gathered tax collectors, prostitutes, and common laborers as his followers, and who was murdered in his early thirties...this man shall be given a portion with the great men and women of the world for all history to record and ponder. Clear water yet? I didn't think so.
It wont' be because of his military prowess or political persuasion but for something more notable, more noble, more unique. Quite frankly, unheard of and for many, unbelievable.
"...and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isa. 53:12 NIV)
Many have given their lives for others - a noble self-sacrifice. But no one has been able to be our substitute to satisfy the wrath of God...once for all.
"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:7-8)
If one truly thinks about it, it's almost too hard to put into words.
Perhaps that's the point. Perhaps that's why he is so great.
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