Even as many were amazed at him--
so marred was his look beyond human semblance
and his appearance beyond that of the sons of man--
The violent abuse by soldiers, the ruthless scourging at the pillar, the carrying of the cross, and finally the crucifixion left Jesus marred "Beyond human semblance" and "his appearance beyond that of the sons of man". Many were amazed to see this, amazed because they expected a different sort of Messiah than this one whom they beheld on the cross. They were amazed because even if they had not been fully invested in Jesus this seemed like overkill, like unnatural, excessive, demonic hatred had been turned against Jesus. They were amazed because of the way he patiently and lovingly bore it all, offering forgiveness for his enemies, care and love for his friends, and ultimate surrender to the will of his Father.
so shall he startle many nations,
because of him kings shall stand speechless;
for those who have not been told shall see,
those who have not heard shall ponder it.
The Good News cannot be known or appreciated apart from the cross. We can't simply describe a God who became man and went on to heal, to teach, and to lead in the way of righteousness. Jesus did indeed do all of that. But without the cross none of those things would have availed for us. Neither can we fully appropriate the blessings Jesus came to give us if we try to jump ahead to Easter to receive their fruit. We are meant spend time at the cross, to be startled speechless, that is, to have our own words taken away from us so that we can receive the truth of a love deeper than anything for which we could ask or anything we could imagine.
Who would believe what we have heard?
To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
If it doesn't seem implausible that things would have happened this way this can only be because we are used to hearing about it year after year. Yet imagine, the son of God offered as a ransom for slaves! Jesus was the great "I AM". His name was so great that when he spoke it to the guards they were overwhelmed by its power.
When he said to them, “I AM, “
they turned away and fell to the ground.
Jesus was himself the way, the truth, and the life. And he was therefore also the fullness of beauty. But he allowed himself to be stripped of the appearance of all of these things precisely so that he could communicate them fully to us. He was the living God, the King of kings, with angel armies at his beck and call. Yet for our sake he did not insist on his own prerogatives.
Though he was harshly treated, he submitted
and opened not his mouth;
like a lamb led to the slaughter
or a sheep before the shearers,
he was silent and opened not his mouth.
Jesus was to become the true Paschal lamb of sacrifice. He was too absorb all of the hatred of the enemy. All of the covenant curses meant for sinners would instead fall upon him. Those curses would have crushed sinners, but when they fell upon Jesus they were transformed into healing remedies for our twisted human nature. Jesus used them us a pick to chisel free living hearts from layer upon layer of stone. He himself remained faithful in spite of persecution, torture, and death. This obedience finally opened the way for the world to receive the blessings of the covenant.
If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
We are the descendants whom Jesus desires to see in a long, indeed an eternal life. Those temptations which once overwhelmed us and circumstances which dominated us need do so no longer. An unclosable way has been opened. True obedience to the heart of the Father has not only been demonstrated and offered by Jesus, but is now possible for us too, in the measure that we are united to him and offer our own lives together with his.
because he surrendered himself to death
and was counted among the wicked;
and he shall take away the sins of many,
and win pardon for their offenses.
It isn't entirely false to say that Jesus absorbed the wrath of God that was our due. But it is perhaps the least illuminative way to state the reality of what happened. The Father himself offered his Son out of love for us. Jesus responded to the Father, not as to a tyrant, but as to one perfectly worthy of trust. If the path involved suffering to the extreme it was not because the Father delighted in suffering but because the disease being addressed was so severe. In the cross the love of the Triune God was perfectly displayed. It demonstrated the lengths to which true love would go. It finally unlocked our own hearts to live in the power of that love.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Jesus did not simply heal us by word or fiat. Rather he entered with us into the very depths of our suffering, to the limits of God forsakenness, in order that no one remain beyond hope or beyond the possibility of redemption. There is no person, past or present, for whom Christ did not have sympathy, no burden too insignificant, no sin to dire. What do we gain by stopping here at the cross to bear witness to him? Confidence! From here, what could possibly hold us back from approaching the throne for mercy and for grace?
one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately blood and water flowed out.
Lord Jesus, you desired to be pierced so that the living water of the Holy Spirit would flow out upon the world. Give us grace to look upon you whom our own sins have pierced, not so that we would feel guilty or condemned, but that your love would once again startle us, once again call us to open ourselves to all that you have for us. Because of the love you displayed we are certain that it is not too late for misspent lives to be transformed into offerings that our holy and acceptable to you.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
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