Easter Series '23
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When you look at the oncoming Easter Sunday, you may realize that Jesus has fulfilled over 300 prophesies which are recorded in the Old Testament when he died and resurrected over Easter Sunday. We are getting ready to celebrate the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and Jesus hit over 300 prophesies and fulfilled them all.
Over the years in my life in every season I had to take a look and redefine what success is. We tend to believe, as people and as Christians, that success looks one way. How we define success often colors everything we see. How we determine blessings and failures.
13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.
14 As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—
15 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.
First thing I want to look at as we close on Easter is Jesus’ success.
In this version they use the term act wisely, some may say prudently, and some may say prosper.
The Hebrew word used here is sukhl
SKI- have success, to be successful in ones endeavors.
Isaiah tells us that Jesus is going to be succesful meaning no one will stop him on his mission. Matter of fact Jesus’ last words on the cross were translated to be “It is finished”
One of the hardest things to remember at times as a Christian is that Jesus doesn’t fail. He is successful and in this case the author tells us how he will be successful.
He will be high and lifted up. And Shall be exaulted.
One of the hardest things as God’s children that we must understand is that failure and success isn’t determined by us.
In V 13 we are told Jesus was successful, but then v14 told that he was marred beyond human recognition.
Jesus outwardly resembled our sin, but inwardly was the clear picture of a perfect sacrifice. And what looked like a humiliating defeat was in fact a great victory in the eyes of God.
We know that Jesus came to flip the world over on it’s head. In fact we know the first will be last and the last will be first. So it doesn’t surprise me that God’s overwhelming victory looked like defeat in the eyes of the world, but the same could be said for our story. Sometimes what we see as failure God is using as success it just may not look like what we wanted or expected.
His success shocked people in 3 different ways, Appearance, Exaltation, and Message.
1.) Appearance
Isaiah 52:14 (TLB)
14 They shall see My Servant beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know it was a person standing there
Jesus was slapped by an officer John 18:22
At the hearing He was spat on, slapped, and beaten on the head with fists Matt 26:27 as well as others
Pilate scourged him Joh 19:1
and shoulders beat him and paraded him around with a crown of thorns. John 19:3
6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.
2. Exaltation
13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.
4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Jesus did not come exalting himself, but rather exalting the father giving us the example of how we are supposed to act and live. Although he was due honor and praise he came so that the father would be honored and praised.
After his death and ressurection he was restored to his position and given all honor and authority from God.
20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
3. Message
15 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.
The word sprinkle here refers to to the ceremonial cleansing that was an important part of the Mosiac sacrificial system. The sprinkling of blood didn’t take away sins, but rather made the Israelites ceremonially clean and accepted before God.
Some believe that this is why Jesus had to be beaten before being hung on the cross. As Jesus’ blood dripped he was preparing his people, cleaning his people, so that they could receive the sacrifice and forgiveness of sins.
We can see this idea again in 1 Peter 1:1-2
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
All of this was set up so that we can receive Jesus’ gift of life and salvation. That the story isn’t about the gross mishandling of Jesus, but that he prepared a way for us to come and worship him. That he gave us a way to the cross where we can find forgiveness and peace.