Isaiah 42:1-13
Saturday, 16 April 2022
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight...” -Isaiah 42:1
God calls on the nations to give attention to “His Servant”- who He introduces. The first of the Servant Songs in Isaiah, here is a prophecy of the forthcoming wonders and characteristics of the Messiah- Jesus. The LORD would place His Spirit on this Servant, blessing Him with His presence and empowering Him for service.
What are some of the characteristics Isaiah has portrayed that we see visibly in the life of Jesus Our Messiah?
A Compassionate Saviour
Jesus in Matthew 11:28 says “Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” In verse 3 we see our Saviour portrayed as one who will never crush those already burdened with sin and pain. Even if their faith is as small as a flickering spark that hasn’t grown over the years, he would never extinguish the flame. He would rather fan the flame in him and get a fire going. When the world rejects the weak, Jesus embraces them!
A God of Justice
At a time when the Jews held their exclusive claim over God, the prophet Isaiah in Vs1& 6 declares that the Messiah was not just for the Jews but for the whole world—He would bring justice to the nations and be a “light for the Gentiles!” Jesus when speaking to Nicodemus says it clearly in John 3:16 that He is the “Saviour of the World.” He fulfilled this promise through His death on the cross and thus reconciling-both the Jew and Gentile to God by His one act. So in Christ we are all one.
Our Deliverer
Vs.7 clearly declares all what the Messiah would do. In Luke 4:18 we see Jesus reading the same Scripture in the hearing of all men as He begins His earthly ministry. The gospels record the miraculous work of our Saviour, and even to this day each of us experiences His work in our lives. He not only heals our broken bodies but also our broken spirits, as He opens our eyes and ears to the truth in His word and rescues us from the clutches of the evil one.
The Mighty Warrior our Guide (V.13)
The Messiah here is revealed to us as one who will guide and fight for us throughout our life’s journey and promises to never forsake us. Jesus fulfilled this word even as He calls himself as “The Good Shepherd” in John 10. This Shepherd will always lead us his sheep to safety promising to be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28: 20)
For all that our Messiah is and has done for us, what does Isaiah say we require to do?
Sing to the Lord a New Song (V.10) – Let His praise ring out through every song we sing; proclaim His deeds.
Give Him the glory (V.12) – Use every opportunity to lift His name— as He is worshipped in Heaven so may His Name be glorified on earth.
In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4), she said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” (John 4: 25&26).
To Act on: If you do not know Him, would you ask Him to reveal Himself to you in the ways we have understood Him today? May He be your Saviour too!
Listen: 'Saviour of the world'
Ref: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dcc/isaiah-42.html
Yorumlar