Behold The Servant King Isa 52 13 15
Series: Sing of the Lord's Servant - Isaiah - Lenten Series
March 13, 2025
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
1st Midweek Lenten Service 3/12/25 Sermon Series Theme: Sing of the Lord’s Servant Sermon Text: Isaiah 52:13-15 Sermon Theme: “Behold! The Servant King!” I. He Is Exalted Through Suffering! (Vs.13-14) II. He Rules Through His Word Sent Forth! (Vs.15) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Episode Notes
1st Midweek Lenten Service 3/12/25
Sermon Series Theme: Sing of the Lord’s Servant
Sermon Text: Isaiah 52:13-15
Sermon Theme: “Behold! The Servant King!”
I. He Is Exalted Through Suffering! (Vs.13-14)
II. He Rules Through His Word Sent Forth! (Vs.15) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. Wisdom cries out, Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.” Pride is Satan’s besetting sin. Created a beautiful powerful angel he worshiped himself. Sought to displace his Creator and take control for himself. Satan and his rebellious angel army failed. Fallen he beguiled Adam to rebel rejecting God’s Word. Children of Adam pride chains us in sin and death. In pride children argue about greatness. Older siblings demand that the younger honor them - their elders. Schools prompt pride - be #1 in the class - #1 on the team - be popular. Marriages are not immune to the sin of pride. Spouses contend quarreling to win the argument to be #1.
Pride infested the twelve apostles. They argue about which of them was to be #1 on the night our Lord was betrayed. It was an ongoing argument as they journeyed towards Jerusalem for the final Passover. Jesus humbles the proud. Takes an infant into His arms and says, Mat 18:3-4 , "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (4) Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.. “ Pride doesn’t get the message.
James and John enlist their mother go to stoke their pride. Nearing Jericho, then send her to Jesus begging her two sons the place of honor at His right hand and left hand when He came into His kingdom. Our Lord said to the pride of the “Sons of Thunder”, Mat 20:22-23 , "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." (23) So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." Pride is offended in the other ten. History records, “Mat 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.” Jesus calls them to repent, Mat 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. (26) Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. (27) And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- He calls the to surrender their pride and cling to the Gospel: (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Still they bickering. Spiritual pride festers forth from our old adam. Sitting down for Passover - Thursday evening of Holy Week - pride still percolates. St. Luke records, Luk 22:24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.” Jesus lays aside all glory to become the lowest household slave. He takes off His outer robe, puts on a towel and humbly serves these proud men - washing their filthy feet.
Tonight repent of pride. Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. Turn from seeking self-esteem, humble yourself to be filled with Christ-esteem - fixing your eyes on the Crucified: Behold! The Servant King!”
I. He Is Exalted Through Suffering! (Vs.13-14)
II. He Rules Through His Word Sent Forth! (Vs.15)
I. What is greatness? In the politics of Washington D.C. it means wielding power and control. Getting exactly what they want, when they want it. Manipulating others proudly doing anything to get their way.
What is greatness? We can condemn politicians for cut-throat tactics, but if we are honest enough to look into the mirror of God’s Ten Commandments the same pride lurks in our hearts and lives St. James admonishes us Christian, Jas 4:1-4 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (2) You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. (3) You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (4) Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” We are proud, stubborn, self-centered lot born in Adam’s image striving for personal godhood, to control others, to get our way - if we don’t get it we fight. U.S. Army Colonel Henry Martyn Robert was chosen to preside over a church meeting in 1863. After trying to control Christians quarreling, arguing and striving for power - he set down and wrote rules that meetings might accomplish some good. You know... “Robert’s Rules of Order.”
Jesus’ rule of order is to save us from our sinful pride through His humility. The Greatest becomes the Least. The only-begotten Son of God, The Sinless Man born of the Virgin Mary - becomes the Sinner for us all. His greatness turns our sinful pride on its head. Truthfully He turns us right side up, our sinful pride and reason have everything upside down and backwards in our thinking, feeling, saying, and doing.
The Lord through the prophet Isaiah now begins singing the fourth of His servant songs. Tonight we look at the first strophe or verse of this hymn sung forth by the Holy Spirit through Isaiah’s pen seven centuries before Jesus’ birth. (Vs.13). “Behold!” Look away from your self, your work, your thinking. Look only to Jesus for salvation. Humbly look and see the salvation the only King wins for us proud sinners.
Jesus lays aside His glory to be the Father’s Servant. He doesn’t teach new doctrine. He speaks what He hears from His Father. He surrenders Himself to follow the Father’s good and gracious will. He is obedient even to the point of the horrendous suffering and death of crucifixion. Here all those who imagine that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament are shown to be ignorant God’s Word. We confess in the liturgy, “as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.”echoing the unchanging Word of God, Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Look, God the Father says - Behold Jesus My Servant - He deals prudently. He resolves and unresolvable problem. How can a just God pardon us proud sinners who merit only death, damnation, and hell? If He simply overlooks our sins - He ceases to be just. If God gives us what we deserve - we are destroyed eternally in the fires of hell. How can sinners be saved? Not by self chosen works or sacrifices - only by the King who humbles Himself to serve us sinners. (Vs.13-14) He will be exalted and extolled only after He suffers and dies in our place - for us.
Behold the King of Creation saves you - He takes your sin, your hell, your guilt , your shame, your death into His own innocent body. He is marred more than any man. He is crushed under the full just wrath of God for our sins. He takes your place under the Law - that He might free you by His innocent suffering. He pays your bill in full! Wins you back from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil by humbling Himself pouring out His holy precious blood FOR YOU. Pride be gone! Look only to Jesus! He is the Fountain and Source of forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Of this one little verse, Dr Martin Luther exclaimed, “This is the foremost passage on the suffering and resurrection of Christ, and there is hardly another like it. .....This King will be glorious, but afer His death. This indicates that this King is different from an ordinary one, since He will begin His reign after death.”
Our proud world mocks Jesus on the cross as a weakling defeated by Rome. The cross is Jesus’ glorious throne. He is exalted on the Tree for us real sinners. He bears the crown of thorns which sprang up as a result of Adam’s prideful sin. He bears the bloody stripes of my sin which tear into His innocent flesh as He suffers my punishment.
II. “Jesus of Nazareth, King of The Jews” is Pilate’s inscription. When the Jews complain to have it changed. Pilate says, “What I have written I have written!” Our God through the hand of the Roman governor testifies that this Jesus of Nazareth is the One whom Isaiah had prophesied. Pilate didn’t only write this notice in Hebrew, but in Greek and Latin also thereby testifying that Jesus is the King and Savior of all nations.
Isaiah foresaw the full scope of the Humble Servant King’s rule.(vs.15). Jesus sprinkles many nations. Risen from our death and grave victorious over our sin, Satan, and death, our King sends forth His disciples, Mat 28:18-20 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." This is most certainly true. The Hebrew word for sprinkle here is the one used for applying the atoning blood of the lamb offered for the sins of the people at the altar. From Jerusalem Jesus establishes an everlasting kingdom - not of this world - He rules by the power of His Gospel spoken to bringing us dead sinners to life by the Holy Spirit in grace through Faith. His Word cannot be broken.
Humble Jesus rules over all things through the Sword of His Word -the Gospel is the power to save! No government stands or falls apart from His good and gracious rule. He orders all of human history for the sake of His Church that His Gospel might be preached to all nations.
Kings fall silent before King Jesus. Soon we shall see Him coming in glory to judge the living and the dead. Scripture teaches us, Php 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Daily repent of your sinful pride! Honestly see your sins in the mirror of God’s Ten Commandments. Confess them laying them all on King Jesus! Let Him wash you forgiven covering you with His honor! Who is the greatest in the kingdom? Jesus! Who is the most humble Man - Jesus. He serves you sinner. Serves you within His house. Washing you alive in Holy Baptism. Setting you free in absolution. Strengthening you through His Word preached. Feeding you life and salvation as He sets the table and is the Host and Feast inviting you to “Take and Eat” His very body and blood given and shed for you - you are forgiven - go in peace. Amen.
Sermon Series Theme: Sing of the Lord’s Servant
Sermon Text: Isaiah 52:13-15
Sermon Theme: “Behold! The Servant King!”
I. He Is Exalted Through Suffering! (Vs.13-14)
II. He Rules Through His Word Sent Forth! (Vs.15) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. Wisdom cries out, Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.” Pride is Satan’s besetting sin. Created a beautiful powerful angel he worshiped himself. Sought to displace his Creator and take control for himself. Satan and his rebellious angel army failed. Fallen he beguiled Adam to rebel rejecting God’s Word. Children of Adam pride chains us in sin and death. In pride children argue about greatness. Older siblings demand that the younger honor them - their elders. Schools prompt pride - be #1 in the class - #1 on the team - be popular. Marriages are not immune to the sin of pride. Spouses contend quarreling to win the argument to be #1.
Pride infested the twelve apostles. They argue about which of them was to be #1 on the night our Lord was betrayed. It was an ongoing argument as they journeyed towards Jerusalem for the final Passover. Jesus humbles the proud. Takes an infant into His arms and says, Mat 18:3-4 , "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (4) Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.. “ Pride doesn’t get the message.
James and John enlist their mother go to stoke their pride. Nearing Jericho, then send her to Jesus begging her two sons the place of honor at His right hand and left hand when He came into His kingdom. Our Lord said to the pride of the “Sons of Thunder”, Mat 20:22-23 , "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." (23) So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." Pride is offended in the other ten. History records, “Mat 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.” Jesus calls them to repent, Mat 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. (26) Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. (27) And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- He calls the to surrender their pride and cling to the Gospel: (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Still they bickering. Spiritual pride festers forth from our old adam. Sitting down for Passover - Thursday evening of Holy Week - pride still percolates. St. Luke records, Luk 22:24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.” Jesus lays aside all glory to become the lowest household slave. He takes off His outer robe, puts on a towel and humbly serves these proud men - washing their filthy feet.
Tonight repent of pride. Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. Turn from seeking self-esteem, humble yourself to be filled with Christ-esteem - fixing your eyes on the Crucified: Behold! The Servant King!”
I. He Is Exalted Through Suffering! (Vs.13-14)
II. He Rules Through His Word Sent Forth! (Vs.15)
I. What is greatness? In the politics of Washington D.C. it means wielding power and control. Getting exactly what they want, when they want it. Manipulating others proudly doing anything to get their way.
What is greatness? We can condemn politicians for cut-throat tactics, but if we are honest enough to look into the mirror of God’s Ten Commandments the same pride lurks in our hearts and lives St. James admonishes us Christian, Jas 4:1-4 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (2) You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. (3) You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (4) Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” We are proud, stubborn, self-centered lot born in Adam’s image striving for personal godhood, to control others, to get our way - if we don’t get it we fight. U.S. Army Colonel Henry Martyn Robert was chosen to preside over a church meeting in 1863. After trying to control Christians quarreling, arguing and striving for power - he set down and wrote rules that meetings might accomplish some good. You know... “Robert’s Rules of Order.”
Jesus’ rule of order is to save us from our sinful pride through His humility. The Greatest becomes the Least. The only-begotten Son of God, The Sinless Man born of the Virgin Mary - becomes the Sinner for us all. His greatness turns our sinful pride on its head. Truthfully He turns us right side up, our sinful pride and reason have everything upside down and backwards in our thinking, feeling, saying, and doing.
The Lord through the prophet Isaiah now begins singing the fourth of His servant songs. Tonight we look at the first strophe or verse of this hymn sung forth by the Holy Spirit through Isaiah’s pen seven centuries before Jesus’ birth. (Vs.13). “Behold!” Look away from your self, your work, your thinking. Look only to Jesus for salvation. Humbly look and see the salvation the only King wins for us proud sinners.
Jesus lays aside His glory to be the Father’s Servant. He doesn’t teach new doctrine. He speaks what He hears from His Father. He surrenders Himself to follow the Father’s good and gracious will. He is obedient even to the point of the horrendous suffering and death of crucifixion. Here all those who imagine that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament are shown to be ignorant God’s Word. We confess in the liturgy, “as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.”echoing the unchanging Word of God, Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Look, God the Father says - Behold Jesus My Servant - He deals prudently. He resolves and unresolvable problem. How can a just God pardon us proud sinners who merit only death, damnation, and hell? If He simply overlooks our sins - He ceases to be just. If God gives us what we deserve - we are destroyed eternally in the fires of hell. How can sinners be saved? Not by self chosen works or sacrifices - only by the King who humbles Himself to serve us sinners. (Vs.13-14) He will be exalted and extolled only after He suffers and dies in our place - for us.
Behold the King of Creation saves you - He takes your sin, your hell, your guilt , your shame, your death into His own innocent body. He is marred more than any man. He is crushed under the full just wrath of God for our sins. He takes your place under the Law - that He might free you by His innocent suffering. He pays your bill in full! Wins you back from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil by humbling Himself pouring out His holy precious blood FOR YOU. Pride be gone! Look only to Jesus! He is the Fountain and Source of forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Of this one little verse, Dr Martin Luther exclaimed, “This is the foremost passage on the suffering and resurrection of Christ, and there is hardly another like it. .....This King will be glorious, but afer His death. This indicates that this King is different from an ordinary one, since He will begin His reign after death.”
Our proud world mocks Jesus on the cross as a weakling defeated by Rome. The cross is Jesus’ glorious throne. He is exalted on the Tree for us real sinners. He bears the crown of thorns which sprang up as a result of Adam’s prideful sin. He bears the bloody stripes of my sin which tear into His innocent flesh as He suffers my punishment.
II. “Jesus of Nazareth, King of The Jews” is Pilate’s inscription. When the Jews complain to have it changed. Pilate says, “What I have written I have written!” Our God through the hand of the Roman governor testifies that this Jesus of Nazareth is the One whom Isaiah had prophesied. Pilate didn’t only write this notice in Hebrew, but in Greek and Latin also thereby testifying that Jesus is the King and Savior of all nations.
Isaiah foresaw the full scope of the Humble Servant King’s rule.(vs.15). Jesus sprinkles many nations. Risen from our death and grave victorious over our sin, Satan, and death, our King sends forth His disciples, Mat 28:18-20 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." This is most certainly true. The Hebrew word for sprinkle here is the one used for applying the atoning blood of the lamb offered for the sins of the people at the altar. From Jerusalem Jesus establishes an everlasting kingdom - not of this world - He rules by the power of His Gospel spoken to bringing us dead sinners to life by the Holy Spirit in grace through Faith. His Word cannot be broken.
Humble Jesus rules over all things through the Sword of His Word -the Gospel is the power to save! No government stands or falls apart from His good and gracious rule. He orders all of human history for the sake of His Church that His Gospel might be preached to all nations.
Kings fall silent before King Jesus. Soon we shall see Him coming in glory to judge the living and the dead. Scripture teaches us, Php 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Daily repent of your sinful pride! Honestly see your sins in the mirror of God’s Ten Commandments. Confess them laying them all on King Jesus! Let Him wash you forgiven covering you with His honor! Who is the greatest in the kingdom? Jesus! Who is the most humble Man - Jesus. He serves you sinner. Serves you within His house. Washing you alive in Holy Baptism. Setting you free in absolution. Strengthening you through His Word preached. Feeding you life and salvation as He sets the table and is the Host and Feast inviting you to “Take and Eat” His very body and blood given and shed for you - you are forgiven - go in peace. Amen.
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