Isaiah 52:13

DISCOURSE: 963
CHRIST REWARDED FOR HIS SERVICES

Isaiah 52:13. Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

IN the writings of Moses, the enjoyment of the land of Canaan was held forth as the great incentive to obedience; and spiritual blessings were but obscurely intimated. But in the prophetic writings, the greatest of temporal blessings were promised rather as pledges of infinitely richer benefits, which they typically represented: and frequently the very language in which they were promised, clearly shewed, that their mystical sense was, in fact, the most literal. Sometimes, as in the prophecy before us, the inspired writer entirely loses sight of all temporal considerations, and is wholly wrapt up in the contemplation of that spiritual kingdom, which the Messiah was in due season to erect. From the redemption of the Jews out of their captivity in Babylon, he goes on to speak of a more glorious redemption to be effected for all the nations of the world from the dominion of sin and Satan, of death and hell. The means of its accomplishment are described at large from this verse to the end of the following chapter. The Messiah, by whom it was to be effected, is set forth in all that variety of character which he was to assume, and in those diversified states of humiliation and glory which he was to pass through, in order to fulfil the work assigned him. That a passage so decisive for the establishment of Christianity should be wrested by the Jews, and be applied to any one rather than to Christ, is nothing more than what might be expected. But so harsh and incongruous are their interpretations, that they need only to be stated, and the absurdity of them immediately appears. Besides, the numerous applications of this prophecy to Christ, which occur in the New Testament, leave us no room to doubt respecting its true import. The portion, which now demands our attention, declares to us,

I. The success with which he executed the work assigned him—

The office which Christ sustained was that of a “servant.” He was to do his Father’s will, to seek his Father’s glory, and to advance the interests of his Father’s kingdom. On this account the Scriptures frequently speak of him as a servant: “Behold my servant whom I uphold;” “by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many;” “I will bring forth my servant the Branch [Note: Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 53:11 and Zechariah 3:8.].” Our Lord himself also often speaks of himself under this character: “I have not spoken of myself, says he, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment what I should say, and what I should speak [Note: John 12:49.].” In above thirty other passages in St. John’s gospel he represents himself as sent by the Father, and as receiving a commandment from him. We must not, however, conceive from hence that he is only a creature; for though in his official capacity he was inferior to the Father, in his own nature he was equal to the Father, as St. Paul tells us; “He was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant [Note: Philippians 2:6.].”

Christ’s work as a servant was, to reveal the Father’s will to mankind, to make atonement for their sins, and to reduce them to a state of holy obedience; or, in other words, to execute the offices of a prophet, a priest, and a king, in compliance with the Father’s appointment, and in subserviency to his honour. Now that he delivered his doctrines in the capacity of a servant, is evident from his own repeated confessions; “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me:” “Whatsoever I speak, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak [Note: John 7:16; John 12:50].” It was also in obedience to his Father’s will that he offered himself a sacrifice for sin. Our Lord himself says, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again: no man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again: this commandment have I received of the Father [Note: John 10:17.]:” and St. Paul also says, that “being found in fashion as a man, he became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross [Note: Philippians 2:8.].” Thus also in the manifold exercises of his regal power, whether he cured diseases, rectified abuses, or forgave sins, he acted by an authority delegated to him for that purpose. When, at the very beginning of his ministry he took the sacred volume into his hands to read out of it to the people in the synagogue, he selected this passage, which fully declared to them by what authority he acted; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted:” and at another time he told his disciples, that “the Father had appointed unto him a kingdom.” Thus plain is it, that whether he executed the office of a prophet, priest, or king, he acted in the capacity of a servant.

In the whole of his work he prospered. The text says, “My servant shall deal prudently;” but in the margin of the Bible it is put, “shall prosper.” This rendering of the word seems rather better to agree with the context, and with that expression in the following chapter, “the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” The very same word also is used in reference to Christ by Jeremiah, where our translators have given this sense to it; “I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper [Note: Jeremiah 23:5.].” Let us view this servant of Jehovah in the various offices he performed, and we shall see that he prospered in them all. Was he teaching the people? behold, what wonderful things he brought to light; things, which from eternity had been hidden in the bosom of the Father! How did the clouds of ignorance and superstition vanish before him! the corrupt glosses, with which the Jewish doctors had obscured the law, were refuted: the truths of God were established on the firmest basis; the most subtle objectors were put to silence; the most ignorant were instructed in the deepest mysteries; and all, with such condescension, such ease, such wisdom, and such authority, that his very enemies were constrained to say, “Never man spake like this man.” Was he setting up his kingdom? he rejected with disdain the pomp of earthly monarchs, and laid the foundations of his throne in the hearts of his people. Nor did he bring any into subjection by outward force: a single word was sufficient to subdue the stoutest heart. If he said to Matthew, “Follow me,” not all the wealth of kingdoms could detain the willing captive. If he said, “Come down, Zaccheus,” behold, a covetous extortioner is instantly transformed into a benevolent and obedient servant. Whomsoever he would, he called: and such was the constraining power of his voice, that, without hesitation, they left all that they had, and followed him. And though he commanded his subjects to make no account even of their own lives when standing in competition with his will, and promised them nothing but poverty and persecution in this world, yet they all delighted in his law, and gloried in the cross for his sake. So entirely did they yield up themselves to him, that opposition served but to rivet their affections to him, and to confirm them in their determination to live and die in his service. Did he expiate his people’s sins? behold, there was not any thing wanting either to complete his obedience, or to fill up the measure of his sufferings. He “fulfilled all righteousness,” even though by so doing he made himself appear to be a sinner like unto us: he not only was circumcised by his parents, but voluntarily submitted to the ordinance of baptism, as though he had needed it for the washing away of his own iniquities. Nor was there any kind of suffering which he did not endure, that he might fully expiate our guilt by bearing in our stead all that our sins had merited. He never ceased from his labours, till he could say in reference to all that he had undertaken to do or suffer for us, “It is finished.”

But must we confine our views of his success to past or future times? Are there not many living witnesses of his power and grace? Is he not teaching some amongst us by his good Spirit, and “revealing unto babes the things that are hidden from the wise and prudent?” Do not many of us also experience the virtue of his blood, and reap the fruits of his continual intercession? Is not his almighty arm yet stretched out to deliver us from our spiritual enemies, and to bring our hearts into captivity to his will? Wherever there is one who is brought out of darkness into marvellous light, one who enjoys peace with God through the blood of sprinkling, and whose corruptions are mortified through the influence of divine truth, there is a monument of our Lord’s success, “an epistle of Christ known and read of all men.”
We might further illustrate his success by enumerating the benefits which his mediation has procured: but as these constituted a part of that reward which was conferred on him, we shall wave the mention of them in this place, and proceed to consider,

II.

The recompence that was awarded him for his fidelity—

Our Lord, as a servant, “had respect unto the recompence of reward:” “for the joy that was set before him he endured the cross and despised the shame.” Nor was this reward withheld from him, when he had finished his work. St. Paul tells us expressly, that his resurrection and consequent ascension are to be regarded in this view: “He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; therefore God hath highly exalted him.” Of this also the prophet spake in the words before us: “he shall be exalted, and extolled, and be very high.” Whether the prophet meant to point out three different steps of our Lord’s advancement, we cannot positively say: but his words may well bear that interpretation; “he shall be exalted” by God to a throne of glory; “he shall be extolled” by men with adoration and thanksgiving; and he shall “be very high,” reigning as Head over men and angels for ever and ever. In this view his advancement may be considered as immediate, progressive, final.

His immediate advancement consisted in his resurrection from the dead, and his elevation to the right hand of the Majesty on high, according to what is said by the Apostle; “God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” He, who left his glory for our good, resumed it again; and his human nature is made to participate his glory: yes; that very body, which endured fatigue and hunger, which was torn with scourges, and pierced with nails, which agonized in the garden, and expired on the cross, is now at the right hand of God in the highest seat of dignity and honour. That human soul also, that once was harassed with the temptations of Satan, and that endured the wrath of a sin-avenging God, is now assumed into such an union with the godhead, as to be exalted infinitely above the highest archangel. It is in his human nature that the brightest effulgence of the Deity is seen: so that, while he appears as a lamb that has been slain, he is the very joy and glory of heaven, the sun that illumines the regions of the blest; “the glory of God doth lighten them, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

And who does not rejoice that the Saviour should be thus glorified? Who does not even leap for joy at the thought, that he, who loved us unto death, should be thus exalted far above all principalities and powers? Surely, independent of the interest which we ourselves have in his advancement, we ought to be exceeding glad that our greatest friend and benefactor should be thus gloriously rewarded.
The next, and more remote step of his advancement was, the progressive extending of his kingdom throughout the earth. It is true that, in a very short space of time, there were thousands of souls subjected to his dominion; and gradually his empire was enlarged among the Gentile world: multitudes in every place took, as it were, an oath of allegiance to him, and were made willing even to lay down their lives for his sake. But yet his kingdom has hitherto been only partially established: there is a time coming when, in the most literal sense, that prophecy of Daniel shall be accomplished, and “there shall be given him dominion and glory, and a kingdom; and all people, nations, and languages shall serve him.” This methinks is that prospect, to which our Lord looked forward, with peculiar delight as to “the joy set before him.” When he shall see the whole human race bowing before his footstool, and hear them “extolling” and magnifying his name, he will look back upon the travail of his soul with pleasure and satisfaction, and account himself amply recompensed for all that he has done and suffered.

O that this glorious season might speedily begin; that his kingdom might come, and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven! But if we be not favoured to behold this period, let us at least make him the most acceptable return we can for his kindness, by devoting ourselves to his service, and endeavouring to bring others to the obedience of faith.
The final step of his advancement will be, when he shall come again to judge the world, and reign over his elect for ever and ever. What he has already received is only a pledge and earnest of what he will hereafter enjoy. At a future period, fixed in the divine counsels, but known to no creature either in heaven or earth, he is to come in his own glory, and in the glory of his Father, surrounded with all the holy angels. He is then to summon the whole universe before him: all, in one vast assembly, will stand at his tribunal, and be judged by him according to their works: those that were his enemies, and would not that he should reign over them, he will cast, together with the fallen angels, into the lake of fire; but his faithful servants he will take, together with the holy angels, to dwell with him, that they may be one fold under one shepherd for evermore. His mediatorial office indeed he will then lay down, as having no more need to exercise it; and in this sense, “he will deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, that God may be all in all.” But he will not cease to reign as a king over his people; for the prophet expressly says, that “of his kingdom there shall be no end.” To all eternity therefore will he be the Head of the church; to all eternity the one source of their joy, the one object of their adoration. As the glorified saints and angels are already singing, so will they never cease to sing, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom and strength, and glory and honour and blessing; therefore blessing and honour, and glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

In improving this subject, we shall find abundant matter of reproof to the ungodly, of encouragement to the humble, and of direction to all.

1. Reproof to the ungodly—

On the most diligent inquiry into the life and conduct of our Lord, we shall find that he omitted nothing that was necessary for the effecting of our reconciliation with God. Yet how ill is he requited by the generality of mankind I Notwithstanding he has come down from heaven for our salvation, and accomplished the work which had been given him to do, the ungodly world will scarcely bestow a thought upon him. Instead of “exalting” him in their minds, and “extolling” him with their lips, and setting him “very high” in their affections, they regard him little more, than if all that is related of him were a mere fable. Every earthly vanity can fix their attention, and engage their favour; but he, whose condescension and grace have filled all heaven with wonder, can attract no notice. What base ingratitude is this on the part of man! What is it but practically to deny the Redeemer’s excellency, and to frustrate, as far as in us lies, the purposes of God respecting him? It is, in fact, to say that, whatever reward God has decreed to give him for his services, he shall receive no part of it from us. And who amongst us has not been guilty of this conduct? Who has not passed months and years without any admiration of his love, any zeal for his honour? If he were as much forgotten by all, as he has been by the generality, his very name would soon be put out of remembrance. What more awful proof of our fallen nature can we have; what greater evidence of our apostasy from God? “If God were our Father, we should love Christ; if we were true believers, he would be precious to our souls.” And if God has said that “all who forget him shall be turned into hell,” shall our forgetfulness of his dear Son involve us in no danger? Is it without reason that the Apostle asks, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Surely if we exalt him not willingly, he shall be exalted against our will; for “he will reign, till he has put every enemy under his feet.” If we will not bow to the sceptre of his grace, we shall be broken in pieces with the rod of his indignation.

2. Encouragement to the humble—

They who are humbly endeavouring to serve God, may, on the other hand, derive from this subject much comfort and encouragement. As Christ was, so are all his followers, servants of the most high God. Like him too, in spite of men and devils, they prosper in their work. And is there no reward prepared for them? Shall they not, like him, be exalted to thrones of glory? Shall they not be extolled by men, as the excellent of the earth; and by God, as good and faithful servants? Shall they not be very high, even “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ?” Yes; God is not ashamed to be called their God: and, as soon as they have overcome, they shall be carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom, and inherit the glory prepared for them. Let the believer then look forward to the recompence of reward. Let him rest assured that the felicity which awaits him will abundantly compensate his labours and sufferings in the pursuit of it: let him “be faithful unto death, and God will give him a crown of life.” In the meantime, however, they who expect the wages, must be careful to execute the work assigned them. They must “deal prudently,” that they may prosper; and “prosper,” that they may obtain the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give them. But it is not in their own strength that they are to proceed, but in the strength of their exalted Saviour; of him, who, having endured the same trials, can sympathize with them; and, having all power in heaven and in earth committed to him, can succour them. To him then let every eye be directed; to him, in whom all fulness is deposited, and our life itself is hid: and “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory.”

3. Direction to all—

While the words before us prophetically declare what Christ shall receive as the reward of his labours, they serve as a direction to every one that names the name of Christ: they virtually enjoin us to pay him the tribute which is so justly due. “What shall I render unto the Lord,” was the reflection that inspired the breast of David on a review of the mercies which he had experienced. And can we call to mind what our blessed Lord has done, and is yet doing, for our salvation, and not feel the liveliest emotions of gratitude in our hearts? Are we not constrained to break forth in the language of the Psalmist, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me bless his holy name?” Yes; “let us abundantly utter the memory of his great goodness, and sing of his praise without ceasing.” It is the most reasonable, and surely the most delightful, of all duties to exalt his name, and magnify it with thanksgiving. Let this then be the disposition of our minds, and the practice of our lives. Let us say, “Awake up, my glory, awake, lute and harp, I myself will awake right early;” “I will sing of his righteousness all the day long;” “I will praise his name while I have my being.” Then, at whatever period we shall be summoned into his immediate presence, we shall change our place, but not our employment; for the song, which we began on earth, shall be continued by us to all eternity: “To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God, and the Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”