“He was numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12)  

Why was it necessary for Christ to be treated as a criminal? You might as well ask why it was necessary for Him to be “despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). “In all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18). 

 What better lawyer to represent you in God’s court? “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). As the Second Adam, Christ, your Advocate, stands before God in your place. He lived a perfect life in order to be a perfect sacrifice. He points to His side, His hands, His feet, and pleads the blood of the eternal covenant, and the Judge says, "Let them go their way; the Advocate has paid the ransom". 

  Christ never stops being your Advocate. After the initial sentence of “not guilty”, what do you do if you sin again? You’ll never stop needing “an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). So, when you stumble, don’t despair, but “hold fast your confession … come boldly to the throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). He was numbered with the transgressors so you’d be numbered with the saints.