Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter Forty Two verse One, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen in whom my soul delights,” (NRSBV). Some scholars believe that the servant of the Lord can refer to the people of Israel, the nation who has been given the blessing of shining the light of the Lord upon those who are in darkness. Another group of scholars believe that the servant of the Lord refers to the ideal group of people of Israel, who walked in the way of righteousness. Another school of thought consider all the prophets to be servant of the Lord. A great number of scholars consider Jesus Christ, the Messiah, as the Servant of the Lord of whom was prophesied by Isaiah in these passages called the Suffering Servant Songs. It is with the latter view and lens of interpretation that the verse from this passage will be studied.
We read in the Gospel account of Matthew, in Chapter Three, verse Seventeen, when Jesus was baptized, a voice from heaven was heard saying, “This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight,” (Amplified Bible). When Jesus came to earth, and entered into his ministry, he brought justice for the oppressed. He healed the sick and blind, the deaf and lame. He restored to physical and spiritual health those who were oppressed and suffering, as the prophet foretold: “I, the Lord, have called You, for a righteous purpose. I will take You by the hand and will keep You. I will give you for a covenant for the people, for a light unto the nations,” (Amplified Bible). The work of Jesus on earth was the work the Father ordained him to do before the beginning of the ages. Jesus dwelled amongst humans, as God dwelled amongst humans in the desert. When the temple leadership continued to deny Jesus as the Messiah, he did not raise an earthly army, nor summoned the heavenly host to claim his authority on earth and in heaven. He chose to obey the call of his ministry and reconcile all to his Father, through the sacrifice of death on the Cross. Despite the wrongful charges, despite the mockery, despite the scorn and hatred, Christ remained the Suffering Servant and attained life eternal through death and resurrection, for all. His love encompasses those who hate and condemn him, for he died for all, while we were still sinners.
Jesus’ teaching and preaching touched his listeners. He taught with authority and clarity. He opened scriptures and broke the bread of life, the word of God, into digestible and understandable pieces. The large crowds started to understand the word, work and love of God for his people, in a different way. They saw the compassion of Jesus and realized that Jesus was the embodiment of the love of God on earth. It was not obedience to the strict letter of the law, but to the spirit of the law, the law of love for your neighbour that God called his people. Jesus listened and asked the people what they needed, this was a unique and different approach. Jesus gave them the healing they prayed for, the food they needed first. This restored their faith in the goodness and power of God. They experienced how their needs were being met, physically and spiritually. People were discussing with each whether this teacher could not be the Messiah, for he was truly acting as the Prophets foretold the Messiah would, when he came to earth.
We read in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter Four verses Twenty to Twenty Two, “Then He rolled up the book and gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were gazing attentively at Him. And He began to speak to them: Today this Scripture has been fulfilled while you are present and hearing. And all spoke well of Him and marvelled at the words of grace that came forth from His mouth; and they said: Is not this Joseph’s Son,” (Amplified Bible). Despite all the signs, the miracles and the teaching of Jesus, it was still impossible for some to believe that he was the Messiah. He was according to their understanding, the son of Joseph, whom they knew lived among them in Nazareth. The doubt of the people two thousand years ago is echoed in the doubt of the people of today. The Apostle Paul writes in the Letter to the Romans, Chapter Eight verses Twenty Four to Twenty Six, ” For in this hope we were saved. But hope which is seen is not hope. For how can one hope for what is already seen. But if we hope for what is still unseen by the us, we wait for it with patience and composure. So too the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness,” (Amplified Bible). Through the witness of the Holy Spirit to our spirit, we can see Jesus Christ with our spiritual eyes, and say like the Apostles, “My Lord, and My God!” Christ, the Suffering Servant came to redeem us and set us free from doubt and fear.
Father, we thank you that you have sent your Son for us. We praise him and acknowledge him as our Lord, and bow before him, the One who is, who was and who is to come, Amen.