Isaiah’s Servant Passages
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 (ESV)
I have a number of pictures on the walls of my office that depict Jesus. On one wall, He is on the cross. He does not look all that beat up and is a fairly attractive man. On another wall is the familiar work of the artist Hook which shows the compassionate Jesus gazing upon me. The thing is…it’s His Word that draws us to Him, not His appearance.
Isaiah says that God’s Servant would act wisely and be exalted. But he also tells us that His appearance was disfigured beyond recognition. On Calvary, after scourging and being crowned with thorns and crucified, He is swollen and bloody. Who among us would seek a hug from Him?
When we see Him by faith, like this, we know that He willingly endured this in love for us. He shows a love that we just do not find in this world. In this world we find self-centeredness and pride. In Christ we find incomprehensible love. We still marvel at that love. Even kings and princes will hear and marvel at what He has done. He has done all this freely, in order to win our love for him.
It wasn’t pretty to look upon. It is beautiful and amazing.
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing he bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to Thee,
‘How great thou art! How great Thou art!’ Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to Thee,
‘How great thou art! How great Thou art!’.
Worship Supplement 744:3