Isaiah52:13-15 “Amazing Grace”

Today let’s look at the last half of Isaiah chapter 52.
First of all, I would like to talk about what kind of passage this is. This passage is the so-called song of the Lord’s servant. In Isaiah there are four passages which refer to Jesus Christ as the servant of the Lord. The first song of the servant is2:1-4. There it talks about the Lord’s calling. Then the second song of the servant is 49:1-6. It is about the Lord’s mission. In other words, the purpose for the Lord’s servant’s coming is written about. Then the third servant’s song is 50:4-9. It tells how the Lord’s servant will accomplish it. That is through the cross. Today’s passage is the fourth song of the servant. That continues until the end of chapter 53. Here is written the reason why the Lord’s servant must receive such suffering. In other words, it was the sacrifice of death. I would like to divide this passage and look at it in three parts. Today will be the first time to look at it.

I. The exalted servant of the Lord (Vs. 13)
First of all, please look at verse 13. “See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.”
“My servant” (13) is of course Jesus Christ. Here it says, “he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” (13) That is because he “will act wisely”. (13) “Act wisely” (13) means to be obedient to the Word of God. As a result “he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” (13) To “be raised and lifted up and highly exalted” (13) shows that the servant will be raised and lifted up to a height greater than anyone else can attain. He isn’t just a whimsical idea, but “will act wisely” according to God’s carefully planned eternal plan based upon God’s knowledge. Isaiah said to look at this servant of the Lord.
Please look at Philippians 2:6-11. Here too describes what the exalted Jesus Christ is like. “Who, being in the very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness,
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:5-11)
God exalted Christ, “and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11) Christ was given “the name that is above every name,” (Phil. 2:9) and was exalted above all other things. Rather, if you look at Hebrews 1:3 and I Peter 3:22 he was exalted so high that he sits at the right hand of God in heaven. God’s servant, Jesus Christ, is like this. We must look at the Lord Jesus.
When this is said, there are some people that say that the servant isn’t Jesus Christ. For example, the Jewish scholar, Meir Ben Simeon, claims that the servant of the Lord isn’t Jesus. He said that Christians say that this is fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, but if that is so, why is he called “my servant” (13)? He says that if Jesus is God’s son, God himself; if He is one with God, then he wouldn’t be called “servant” and it would not be necessary for him to be exalted. For this reason the Jews while believing in the Old Testament as the Word of God, even up until today, firmly deny that this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
For the same reason the Jehovah’s Witnesses too refuse to accept Jesus as God. Their thinking is different than the Jews. They believe that Jesus is the child of God, Christ, the Savior, but that he is not God. They deny that Christ is God. They say that it is unthinkable that the servant of Lord would be God.
However, here it says clearly, “my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” (13) This shows that he will be raised and lifted up to a height greater than anyone else can attain and was exalted so high that he sits at the right hand of God. The Lord’s servant, Jesus Christ was like this. We must look to him.

II. The humiliation of the Lord’s servant (Vs. 14-15)
The second point is why the servant was so highly exalted. Let’s read verse 14 and the beginning of verse 15. “Just as there were many who were appalled at you- his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness-
so will he sprinkle many nations.”
Here it is written that the Lord’s servant so that he would be exalted acted by an adequate plan. This was the cross. Here it says, “his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness.” (14) The Lord’s servant suffered this much so therefore God exalted him. Let’s open our Bibles to Mark 15:16-24.
“The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the Place of the Skull), Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each one got.”
This is really the hardship that God’s servant, Jesus Christ, received. It was that prophecy. Christ was completely sinless, but He was struck, beaten, stripped and whipped, and given a good licking. Also “they put a purple robe on him,” (Mark 15:17) put a crown of thorns on his head, “spit on him,” (Mark 15:19) and made fun of him calling out “Hail, king of the Jews!” (Mark 15:18) Then to cap it all they nailed him to the cross. “His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness.” (14)
Have you seen the movie “Passion” by Mel Gibson? In this movie Jesus appears so drenched in blood that it is so tragic that many people couldn’t watch it. There were scenes that were that tragic. However, that was definitely not an exaggerated expression. Here “his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness.” (14) The Lord’s servant Jesus Christ suffered that much.
“Just as there were many who were appalled at you.” (14) This “you” (14) is not the Lord’s servant. This is Israel. In other words, “just as there were many who were appalled” (14) by seeing Israel captured by Babylon and receiving terrible suffering, the Lord’s servant too will receive terrible suffering. The sufferings that Israel received and the sufferings that the Lord’s servant received are different in its source of cause and degree, but if you were to compare them, then they are really like that. For what purpose was the suffering?
Please look at the first line of verse 15. Here it says, “so will he sprinkle many nations.” This passage prophesies that the servant will take sin upon himself and die on the cross so this is the blood that will be shed. In Hebrews 9:22 it says, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” By Jesus’ blood being sprinkled on many people, their sin was forgiven. The servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ, will like this do the work of forgiving many people of their sins. Therefore, “he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” (13) Phil. 2 that we read earlier was also the same. Jesus Christ “Who, being in the very nature God,” (Phil. 2:6) didn’t stick to the thinking that he was God, but “but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” (Phil. 2:7-11) Christ was exalted because of his humiliation. He was humiliated to the point of becoming “obedient to death-even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:8) By this he completed the work of purification of many people’s sin by the sprinkling of his blood.
Last week was Christmas, but the in the Christmas story Christ was born in a barn and slept in a manger. It is unbelievable that God who is the creator of the heavens and earth would be born in a barn. He was born is such a place. He lowered himself that much. That was to save us who are soiled with sin. For that purpose the Lord’s servant lowered himself that much.

III. The glorification of the Lord’s servant (Vs. 15)
Therefore, the conclusion is to shut your mouth. Let’s read from the second line of verse 15. “and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
And what they have not heard, they will understand.”
The Lord’s servant will shed his blood and “sprinkle many nations” (15) and accomplish the work of salvation. Before the Lord’s servant, Jesus, shut your mouth. To shut your mouth is to be silent. “Kings will shut their mouths because of him.” (15) The only thing they can do is shut their mouths. They can only worship him. It is because acts are so awesome.
What does it mean to shut your mouth? Please open your Bibles to Rev. 5:6-14. “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:
‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God
and they will reign on the earth.’
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang;
‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!’
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!’
Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.”
This is a scene in heaven. If you look at verse 6 it says, “I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain.” (Rev. 5:6) This is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was put on a cross as a lamb that was slain. After that he rose and ascended to heaven and sits on the right hand of God, but the scars of the nails are still left on his hands and feet. It says that he stood looking like a Lamb that “had been slain.” (Rev. 5:6) Before this Lamb that looks “as if it had been slain” (Rev. 5:6) are 4 living creatures and 24 elders who I think can be said to be representative of the redeemed saints in heaven. “They fell down” (Rev. 5:8) and sang praises.
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God
and they will reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:9, 10)
Their mouths aren’t shut, but are singing praises in a loud voice to the Lamb. That is because by his blood he purchased every people as kings, as priest “and they will reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:10) Before the work of the cross there are no words. There is only praise to God. This is the meaning of shutting your mouth.
This is what is expected of us too. Before God we have no words. What we have is only praise and thankfulness. For the Lamb who did that much for us that he looks “as if it had been slain” (Rev. 5:6) the only thing we can do is to give praise with our whole self. We can only sing: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!” (Rev. 5:12)
It will also be what be what we will do in the course of time in heaven.
However, that is not just in heaven, but now, on this earth too, the same thing can be said. While we are on this earth too now before Jesus Christ who was slain for us, put on the cross and completed the redemption of sins, we shut our mouths, and can only bow down and give him praise Our thoughts that we can’t put in words can be expressed in praise and thankfulness.
For me, so ugly, so deep in sin, sinless Jesus Christ’s “appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness.” (14) He was spit on, stripped and whipped, and then to cap it all was put on the cross and died. What grace! It is really amazing grace!
John Newton who wrote the famous hymn, “Amazing Grace” was touched by the amazing grace of God and wrote this hymn. He was the captain on a slavery ship and one day, on May 10, 1748, when he was transporting black slaves between Africa and England the ship encountered a severe storm and almost sank. Newton awoke in the middle of the night and finally called out to God as the ship filled with water. After he called out, the cargo came out and stopped up the hole, and the ship was able to drift to safety.
From that point on, he avoided profanity, gambling, and drinking. He began to read the Bible and religious books and in the course of time he became a pastor. As he reflected upon this event, he realized how huge the grace of God is that he, the lowest of all men, a black slave trader, would be saved and he wrote “Amazing Grace”. That was 24 years after the event in 1772.
We are not John Newton, but we too before the Lord’s work of the cross should shut our mouths. Shut our mouths and just bow before the Lord and give thankfulness and praise. We shouldn’t complain and grumble. We should stop blaming ourselves and criticizing others. There is no other way but to shut our mouths and be thankful and give praise. That is because Jesus carried all your sins and the sins of other people on the cross and died. No matter how pathetic we are, we should stop self-pity like thinking that we are pitiful. We should stop complaining and grumbling thinking that we don’t have this or that and we should stop criticizing thinking that this person is bad and that person is bad. It is not necessary to complain or act like you are the heroine in a play. Just shut your mouth.
If you were at the foot of Jesus Christ’s cross, probably you would have nothing to say. There is a hymn like this. “Were you there when they crucified my Lord”?
Verse 1
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Verse 2
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Verse 3
Were you there when they pierced Him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced Him in the side?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced Him in the side?

Verse 4
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble.
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?

Verse 5
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
If you were at the foot of the cross, your heart would tremble only. If you know that the cross is for you, then you won’t be able to say anything about yourself or other people. You will just have to be quiet and fall down. While just being overwhelmed by thankfulness which can’t be said in words, and amazing grace, you will just have to fall down. From repentance you will want to express thankfulness and joy with your whole body and spirit. Before God who knows everything, pour out your heart and give praise from your heart. That is real worship.
Please look at the end of verse 15. Here it says, “For what they were not told, they will see, and what you have not heard, they will understand.” By seeing the humiliation and exaltation of the servant, they will see and understand.
John 3:16 is a very famous passage and is the central passage of the Bible. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God is love. God gave his sinless only Son, his Son who is more important to Him than Himself, for us. He loved us this much. Those who really see that and understand that will all shut their mouths. They will just be quiet and fall before him and worship him. They will bow before them.
How about you? Have you seen and understood the humiliation and exaltation of the servant? Jesus died for you. He died on the cross and redeemed you for your sin. He took a good licking. “His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness.” (14) However, that was for you. It was for me. That was how much he loves us. Let’s just shut our mouths and bow and worship him. Then be thankful for the work of the cross which he accomplished and let’s praise and worship Him from our heart. That is the proper response to make to the Lord’s servant who has been exalted.