Behold, my servant shall act wisely;
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. ~ Isaiah 52:13-15
Centuries before Jesus lived and died, Isaiah prophesied about God’s servant being lifted up (crucified on the cross) and marred in appearance (from the torture He endured). He would be exalted and astonish many. It’s hard to realize that God knew exactly how man would fall and need to be redeemed, and He planned that redemption from the beginning of the world. The Lord is omniscient, omnipresent, almighty, and sovereign—but more amazingly, He loves each one of us with a passion beyond human understanding.
Lord God, You planned the end from the beginning, and with You there is no beginning or end. You have always been, and You will always be. You are always everywhere, and You see everything throughout eternity. Yet You love me as if I were Your only child. Who am I that You love me so much? Only one of Your billions of children, and You love every one of us equally as much. Open the eyes and hearts of those who do not know You to understand Your great love for them and the opportunity to dwell in eternity with You if only they repent of their sins and follow Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.