Behold, my servant shall act wisely;
Isaiah 52:13-15 (ESV)
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.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
John 12:32 (ESV)
Isaiah includes a number of “Servant Songs” that many Christians interpret as references to Jesus and his work. The “Suffering Servant Song” of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is one of these. This song points to Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross on our behalf.
If we interpret this song as being about Jesus, then it begins with Jesus acting wisely, a reference to his healing and teaching ministry. It then goes on to say he would be high and lifted up, and that he would be exalted.
Jesus used the expression “lifted up” in John 12:32 to refer to his crucifixion, lifted up onto the cross, above the surrounding people. It is quite possible that Jesus was intentionally using this expression as a link back to this song.
Connecting his exaltation with crucifixion might seem rather strange. Yet the New Testament writers alluded to this several times. In Acts 5:30-31, Peter accused the Jewish leaders of killing Jesus. He then went on to say that God had exalted him at his right hand. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that after Jesus had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. And in Colossians 2:13-15, Jesus is said to have triumphed over his enemies by the cross.
Because of his beating prior to the cross and the agony of the cross, he was disfigured. But by his blood, shed on the cross, he sprinkled the nations to atone for their sin. This is unlike the blood sprinkled in the Old Testament, which was for the people of Israel.
And many, including kings, would be amazed and come to understand what he had done for them as the mystery of Christ was revealed (Eph. 3:4-6). The salvation he offers is for everyone in the world.
