Isaiah 52:14

THE FACE OF JESUS

Isaiah 52:14. As many were astonished at Thee; His visage was so marred, &c.

The personal coming of the Son of God was a great theme of prophecy. Changes of dynasties, national and local calamities, the raising up of heroes, the overthrow of sovereigns and of empires were predicted by the ministers of Jehovah; but the overthrow of the dominion of sin, by that man Jesus Christ, is the sublimest intelligence uttered by prophetic lips. The personal character of Christ is sketched in prophecy. He is to be different from ordinary men—their superior. He is to be open of heart, gentle of hand, sober of mind, consistent in conduct. The personal circumstances of Christ are mentioned. He is to come of royal stock, yet impoverished. Obscurity and lowliness are to be His portion in His domestic life, rejection and contempt in His public career. Yet are men to hear eagerly His words, and He is to be crowned with ultimate glory. The countenance of the Saviour, His personal appearance, is also referred to. These slight sketches were literally fulfilled. How different is the face of the infant from that of the dying man! During the tortuous course of life, the chisel of the energetic sculptor, Time, has been busy cutting deep furrows; the pencils of the twin painters, Sorrow and Care, have left the expression wan and worn.

I. The text is a photograph of the face of Jesus in the hour of His death. Let us meditate upon it. “Love and grief the heart dividing.”

1. The face and form are those of a man. There is here flesh and blood; parts and features capable of expressing feeling.

2. Though in these respects a face like ours, yet how different! It is a visage marred; but not by evil life, evil disposition, infirmity, sickness, or age. In the Saviour’s face there are,
(1.) Lines which tell of severe hardship. He was made acquainted with hunger, thirst, and fatigue. He lived for others’ welfare, comfort, and happiness, forgetting His own.

(2.) Indications of heavy sorrow (Isaiah 53:3). A world’s ingratitude pressed upon His spirit. A world’s sin grieved Him.

(3.) Traces of anxious care. He had come as the representative of His Father to men. He had undertaken to represent the case of man before His Father. What responsibility!

(4.) Marks of much suffering. Allusion is made in the text not only to mental, but to physical suffering. Gethsemane’s agony; the cruel usage in Herod’s hall, where “He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair;” His sufferings under Pilate; the tortures of the crucifixion, remove all room for wonder at the statement of the text. There are actual scars upon His sacred Person; “the print of the nails;” of the thorn crown; the spear-wound.

II. We may reverently muse upon what is here revealed. The face is but the outer mask; the soul is hidden within. The face is an index which reveals and expresses the feelings and experiences of the soul.

1. We learn from the face of Jesus the reality of His life. It is seen to have been intensely real. The visit to earth was no illusive appearance of the Son of God. To Him sin, human guilt, and Divine wrath were real and fearful matters. The features of the grim soldier on the battle-field tell forth unmistakably his earnestness and anxiety; for with him it is a matter of glory or shame, of victory or death.

2. We see the reality of His sympathy. Life is to us a reality. It is a burden, an effort, a struggle. He understands our case. He has undergone all. Behold His face! Think upon His racked nerves, weary limbs, aching head, wounded spirit, broken heart! (Hebrews 4:15.)

3. We understand the reality of His work. God might have left us to our fate; but where would then have been the glory of His grace? He might have forgiven us and saved us with a word; but where then would have been the purity of His holiness, justice, and truth? “It behoved Christ to suffer.”

4. We have now evidence of the reality of His love (John 3:16; John 15:13; Ephesians 3:19; 1 John 3:16).

(5.) We cannot now doubt the reality of His Divinity. The weakness of His humanity having endured the long trial of anxiety, pain, and sorrow, and having ultimately and perfectly triumphed, proves to us the fact and the glory of His Divinity.

III. Let us make application of this subject to ourselves. We look at Christ to learn of Him.

1. Is there not here matter for wonder? “As many were astonished at Thee.” They said: “It is impossible, incredible, that this humble, patient sufferer can be the Christ” (Isaiah 53:1). We wonder, not to doubt, but to adore.

2. Here is reason for admiration and love. What has the Lord endured for our eternal salvation?
3. We must remember to expect an experience very similar to that of our Lord.

4. We have here an example worthy of imitation. How patiently He endures all! (Hebrews 12:1.)

5. Does not this revelation of the nature, character, and work of Christ afford us ground for trust? Saints may be assured of His sympathy. Sinners may see in His substitutionary suffering their salvation.—Robert S. Latimer: Study and Homiletic Monthly, New Series, vol. iii. pp. 164–166.