The Messianic Enigma

 

The Messianic Enigma 

 

Isaiah 52:13-15

We find it mysterious that Christ was exalted through His crucifixion, that we are drawn to Him through His crucifixion, and that we are enlightened by His atonement. 

      God would deliver his people from exile. He would reconcile Jew and Gentile to Himself through His mighty power, through His arm, the Servant, who would become the scapegoat (Lev. 16:22), bearing away the sins of the world. 

      Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy was a mystery to be revealed in God’s management of salvation history. The enigma presents in the first three verses, 52:13-15. The essence of the enigma was the stumbling block for the Jews. “How can the Servant be successful as a deliverer, exalted as a victor, and at the same time be so brutally humiliated?” The solution is laid out in 53:1-12.  

      We hear in this poem an Old Testament theological crescendo. It does not finish the song, but makes manifest its primary theme—substitutionary atonement. 

      I. Exaltation through Crucifixion (52:13) 

            A. The Messiah would succeed (52:13a). 

            B. But Messiah would succeed in a shocking way (52:13b-c). 

      II. Attraction through Injury (52:14) 

            A. The effect of his appearance (52:14a) 

            B. The extent of his injuries (52:14b-c) 

      III. Enlightenment through Atonement (52:15) 

            A. The effective atonement (52:15a) 

            B. The overwhelming astonishment (52:15b-d) 

      Conclusion: The Messianic Enigma 

            A. Exaltation through crucifixion: Lift Him up! 

            B. The conquering sacrificial Lamb: Love His appearing! 

            C. Understanding through Atonement: Know Him!

 

 

 

 

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