Isaiah 52:13-53:1

Intro

Introduction

Isaiah calls us to behold—to stop, look, and see what God is doing through His Servant.

In Isaiah 42, we saw a Servant who brings justice and yet is gentle—He doesn’t crush the weak.

Last week, Jon reminded us in Isaiah 49 that the Servant is not only for Israel, but a light for the nations.

Now, in Isaiah 52, God again says, 

“Behold.”

A.  What will happen to this Servant?

B. What will He accomplish?

C. Why is His death necessary?

Read/Pray

Isaiah 52:13–15 ESV

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.

Big Idea: Jesus, the Servant is exalted through His suffering and death to bring salvation to the nations.

1. The Servant Will Act Wisely and Be Exalted

Isaiah 52:13 ESV

Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.

Act Wisely =

The verb here is יַשְׂכִּיל (yaskîl), from the root שׂכל (śkl), often translated “to be wise, to prosper, to have success, to understand.”

It is a word that doesn’t mean just intellectual cleverness but wise action that leads to success or prosperity.

This is the coach saying: “We executed our gameplan” after victory…

The Sean Mcvay, or this one pains me Curt Cignetti confidence…

Its just before the game was every played yet it is claimed far before the game ever happens.

Some translations reflect this nuance differently:

ESV / NASB: “act wisely”

NIV: “will act wisely”

CSB: “will be successful”

KJV: “shall deal prudently”

Prudence: The ability to control or govern oneself appropriately.

So the phrase carries both the ideas wisdom and success.

Yoda or Obi Wan, Gandalf, Dumbledore: Display wisdom but cant always act on it, or are not always successful.

Marks Gospel:

Jesus teaches with wisdom (Mark 1:22; 6:2).

Jesus also acts with complete wisdom.

Jesus will accomplishes what he set out to do.

Threefold exaltation: raised, lifted up, highly exalted:

Isaiah 52:13 ESV

he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.

Two things happening here:

first:

points to Jesus’ resurrection, ascension, enthronement.

Raised = ressurection

Lifted Up = Ascension

Highly Exalted= Enthronement

Secondly (ultimately):

This is all pointing to Jesus Glory.

We give Jesus Glory for who he is…

We are going to praise Jesus for what he does.

He will be exalted

Mark’s Gospel: (Has not happened up until this point in the narrative)

He predicts His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33–34).

He is raised and exalted (Mark 16:6, 19).

Transition: Worthy is the lamb… seated on the throne, Crown you now with many crowns you remain victorious. High and lifted up. Jesus son of God… The Darling of heaven crucified.. worthy is the lamb

2. The Servant Will Be Marred Beyond Recognition

Isaiah 52:14 ESV

As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—

Astonished at his appearance.

The Servant suffers so greatly He hardly looks human—bearing the curse of sin.

This is the cost of salvation: The one who will be exalted… is going to be marred.

Mark’s Gospel:

Jesus is spit on, beaten, mocked, scourged, crucified (Mark 14:65; 15:15–20, 24).

His body was broken beyond recognition so ours could be made whole.

Transition: Astonished by his appearance. This is why Good Friday is so heavy… Exaltation contrasted by his appearance. Why???

3. The Servant Will Sprinkle the Nations

Isaiah 52:15 ESV

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.

This is sacrificial language

Priest language—cleansing not just Israel, but the nations.

He is the great High Priest

Builds on Isaiah 49: it was too small a thing to save Israel only.

Mark’s Gospel:

Jesus gives His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

His blood is poured out for many (Mark 14:24).

Even a Gentile soldier confesses His identity (Mark 15:39).

4. The Servant Will Silence Kings

Isaiah 52:15 ESV

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.

In real time Rulers are left speechless at what God accomplishes through His Servant.

Jesus kingdom is the true kingdom.

How are you serving his kingdom? Who is your primary allegiance too?

Revelation 7:9 ESV

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Mark’s Gospel:

Pilate marvels at His silence (Mark 15:4–5).

Religious leaders are silenced by His wisdom (Mark 11:27–33; 12:34).

Ultimately, every ruler must bow before Him (Mark 14:62).

Conclusion:

Isaiah has been building this picture of the Servant:

Gentle and just (Isaiah 42).

A light for the nations (Isaiah 49).

Now exalted through His suffering (Isaiah 52).

Mark shows us this Servant is Jesus.

The Next few weeks we will see how Isaiah is prophesying each aspect of Jesus ministry.

Revelation 5:12–14 ESV

saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Here is our prayer: Application: (back to where we began)

Prayer Team in the back

Behold His wisdom—He walked in perfect obedience.

Behold His suffering—marred beyond recognition for your sin.

Behold His cleansing—His blood poured out for many.

Behold His exaltation—raised, lifted up, enthroned.

So today, as we respond in worship, as we come to the table, behold Him.