We are saved by knowledge

But not our own. I absolutely love this verse of Scripture and I have pondered it for a while.

... by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)

Christ stands in utter contrast to the other people of Israel and their leaders.

The ox knows his master,
the donkey his owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.” (Isaiah 1:3)

While the Israelites offered totally useless sacrifices that were ruined because of the corruption of those offering them (Isaiah 1), Christ offered a sacrifice that worked amazingly (Isaiah 53). He knew just what it would take to please God. Like a skilled surgeon, Jesus is a skilled saviour. Jesus knew exactly what medicine we needed. And even more foundationally, he truly knew God in a way that none of us ever did. Knowing God is also a moral category. We twisted and turned from our knowledge of God and yet Christ retained it.

The one who alone truly knew God,
knew how God wanted to be known like no one else did,
knew how to please God like no one was doing,
knew how to save people like no one else could do,
and gave up everything
to bring us to know God.

... by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)