The Marred King

Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Isaiah directs our attention to the Servant of Jehovah, the high and exalted one (Isaiah 52:13), but not as we might expect. The onlookers are “astonied” or dazed when looking at this man and were filled with dismay. He was not sitting upon a throne, nor honored by prestigious men. He did not impress you with his dignity and strength as you might expect from the extolled one, but he was scourged and blooded. His face, marred and disfigured almost past the point of looking like a human man. Beaten, whipped, spat upon, even ripping the beard from his face (Isaiah 50:6).  The same Messiah who will be exalted and who will deal with wisdom and prudence, will be marred beyond recognition (Psalm 22:6; Matthew 26:67).

"So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider" (Isaiah 52: 15). This same Suffering Servant, in the very next verse, will sprinkle the nations with his grace and mercy and kings of the Earth will hush their mouth in quiet submission to his power and glory. The deep truths of his glory will be opened up and explained and the truth of His glorious person will be revealed and proclaimed. In the same person, you see a man who will rule the nations, be praised and honored, will rule in power as God’s anointed, and quiets the kings of every nation --  will also suffer beyond imagination. How can Messiah be both? How could one man be so exalted and yet brought so low? The Jews in the gospels were looking for the exalted king, but they cared nothing for a Messiah who would suffer.

The Suffering Servant was mysterious for the Old Testament saints. However, we have the mystery revealed in the Lord Jesus who offered himself a sin sacrifice – the Lamb of God. We have two views of the same man at different times. It is because Jesus came and suffered that he is lifted up and exalted (Philippians 2:5-11).  Isaiah prophesied of the crucified Saviour and the glorified King. We still wait the day for the Lord to return in glory and to hush the mouths of the nations (Psalm 2). Even so, come Lord Jesus. Isaiah shows us a King who is exalted, but one who suffers beyond comprehension. One who subdues the kings of the world and also who astonishes those who looked upon him at his suffering. I wonder how you see the Lord? Do you see Jesus as revealed in Scripture or as revealed in your imagination? Do you know the Jesus of the Bible? Do you know the King who gave his life's blood to save his people from their own sins?