The Way of the Cross (31)

The servant of the LORD is described in various passages towards the end of Isaiah, and we're going to slow right down over the next few days as we think about one of the most famous prophecies of the cross and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus.

Behold, my servant shall act wisely;
he shall be high and lifted up,
and shall be exalted.
As many were astonished at you -
his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of the children of mankind -
so shall he sprinkle many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which has not been told them they see,
and that which they have not heard they understand. (Isaiah 52:13-15)

This last and greatest of the servant songs portrays the servant of the LORD in surprising ways - high and lifted up, but marred in appearance; his form so deformed as to hardly be considered human. So surprising, that kings shut their mouths because of him; so shocking that this should be one so highly favoured.

And in this first stanza, the mention of sprinkling many nations - for cleansing, purifying. In some way the work of the servant of the LORD, while marring him, will cleanse and heal others. That's all we're told in the first section of this amazing prophecy - so tune in tomorrow for another portion, and a further revealing of the mystery of the passion of the Son of God.