The Chosen Servant

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice: He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth and the coastlands wait for his law.” (Isaiah 42:1-4, ESV).

Isaiah prophesies about the Suffering Servant. Isaiah 42:1-4 has been named by scholars the first of the “Servant Songs” in Isaiah, and as a definite prediction of the coming of Jesus Christ, Messiah. These verses declare that the servant will be chosen by God, that He will delight in Him, and that God’s Spirit will be upon him. Moreover, He will bring justice to all nations, not just to the nation of Israel. This passage from Isaiah is quoted in Matthew 12:18 -21 to verify that Jesus Christ was, indeed, the chosen servant about whom Isaiah had prophesied.

It is very easy for those of us who believe in Christ and accept him as Messiah to see in this passage in Isaiah, written some 700 years before Jesus’ birth, that Isaiah’s prophecy tells of the Messiah’s coming and His work of bringing peace.
But can we see within this Servant Song a call for followers of the Lord to have the servant’s calling? God defined the work of the Servant Messiah as a messenger of peace and healing, the One who would bring forth justice in the world. We as His servants have the same purpose. The Servant Messiah did not use normal means to accomplish his purposes. No military power overthrew the oppressive Roman rulers. The Messiah worked quietly, proclaiming God’s message to all who would listen and heed. He healed the sick, opened blind eyes, taught a way of harmony and peace. We have examined this way as we’ve looked at selected parables and the beatitudes for study the past weeks. Now Christians have that servant role of seeking righteousness and justice. God provides the power and motivation through His Spirit. Only one—Jesus the Messiah—has completely fulfilled the Servant role. But He has given us an invitation—and the motivation through His Spirit—to make a difference where we are. We have been elected by God for this purpose as Christians. We have been given sound minds and good directions through His Word to make a difference in our corner of the earth. With the serious flaws in government and the lack of justice in high places, we have an obligation to stand firmly for what is right. Will we pray and seek guidance? Will our place of chosen servanthood make a difference for our time?

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, September 21, 2010