Isaiah 52:14-15a

Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness – so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where whatever you say is only going to make things worse? Any excuse, or attempt to explain yourself will only underline your guilt and foolishness, and so you realise that the best thing to say is nothing at all.

Today’s verse reminds me of the scene in John’s gospel where Jesus appears before Pilate in John. Jesus is helpless and Pilate holds all the cards. In that moment, many were appalled by Jesus. He was literally marred and disfigured by the intensity of the beating and whipping he received at the hands of the soldiers. And he was, as we will see next week, in v.7, silent in the face of Pilate’s questioning.

The last time Pilate set eyes on Jesus, it was pretty clear that Pilate was the powerful one, and Jesus’ time was up. But that won’t be the last Pilate ever sees of him. There will come a day when he – and every other human ruler who has ever opposed God’s plans or mistreated God’s people – will again find themselves face to face with Jesus. But next time, the tables will be turned. Jesus will then be lifted up and exalted, glorious in splendor and majesty. And Pilate will be the silent one. His mouth will be shut because there will be nothing he can possibly say in his own defence. What valid excuse is there for sentencing your creator to death? What do you say when you have presided over a miscarriage of justice, designed to get rid of the one who judges justly?

This verse tells us that kings will shut their mouths on that final day when they face Jesus. But they won’t be the only ones. All of us have, in our own ways, tried to silence Jesus’ voice in our lives and live as our own rulers instead. All of us ought to stand silent before God on the day of judgement, without defence or excuse. Our only hope is in the sprinkled blood of the Servant who suffered and died in our place. Because of him, we – and those from many nations – will face that final day not silenced by guilt and terror, but singing the praises of our savior.

Let open our mouths to praise him for our great salvation today.