Behold Christ

Introduction

First of four ‘Servant Songs’ Which foretell the coming Messiah. His person and his work. Isaiah 42:1–9; 49:1–7; 50:4–9; and 52:13–53:12

God through his prophet Isaiah is speaking to those who are in exile in Babylon. People in bondage who were afraid and felt abandoned by their God and God is giving them comfort.

What was God’s way of comforting them? Look to my servant. Look away from worthless Idols and look to my Servant.

God has promised he will restore his people, he will pardon their sins and bring them back to their land. He said he will raise up a servant from the north and from the east whom we know is Cyrus who will free the exiles and give them their land back.

In order to increase the faith of his people in his promises the LORD speaks of another servant who was to come in the future who will do something much greater. He will bring the nations to trust in God.

God gives his people comfort by telling them about the Messiah.

Behold Christ-

Behold-

See him, look at him

Look to him- Look to me all the ends of the earth and be saved.

God’s method of comforting his people hasn’t changed.

Perhaps you feel far from God. Or perhaps you feel the bondage of your sin and wonder how you can be free? Or maybe you feel abandoned by the LORD.

Look to Christ. Behold my Servant.

This is what we see happening on the road to Emmaus don’t we. Two the Jesus’ disciples are distraught, confused, not sure if they Lord has failed them.

Jesus meets them and what does he do? He shows himself to them in the Scriptures. They were not only uplifted and comforted, but they said their hearts burned within them. Their hearts were warmed as they behold Christ in the Scriptures.

Well this is what the LORD is doing for Israel, this is what we intend to do this morning.

How do we know this is describing Jesus?

We can look at whats said and guess that it is a messianic prophecy because what is said is only true about Jesus. This would be enough. But have the authority of the NT. Matt 12:16-21.

I. Jesus is described. The person of Christ v.1-4

The LORD speaks of the Servant

a) The Father’s delight v.1

i) servant whom I uphold

He came to do the will of the Father.

This is speaking of Christ in his human nature. As God he is co equeal co eternal with the Father. But taking on flesh he became a servant.

Phil 2:6-7 “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”

He is the only one who can ever really be called the Servant of the LORD. He served the Lord in perfect obedience and for his glory alone.

ii) elect one

Chosen by the Father to fulfil his plan of redemption.

1 Peter 2:4 “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,”

iii) in whom my soul delights

He always did what pleased the Father.

John 4:34 “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”

My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Mt 3:17

App- Christ is well pleasing to the Father when we come to the Father through Christ we are accepted because of his righteousness and merit.

iv) I have put my Spirit upon him

In this verse all three persons of the Trinity are mentioned.

Empowered by God’s Spirit. God’s anointed one.

Anointed- Prophet, priest and King.

b) Gentle and lowly v.2-3

In case hearing of Christ’s greatness you might be tempted to think he cannot help someone as insignificant as yourself, we are told that he is gentle and lowly.

i) Didn’t clamour v.2

Unlike the military leader the Jews were expecting. He did not come with violence or aggression.

1 Peter 2:23 “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;”

ii) Will care for the weak v.3

A bruised reed he will not break- Those who are weak, bruised, broken. Those who are counted as nothing and useless.

He will not break. Rather he will heal.

The woman with the flow of blood. Unclean. Outcast. Jesus heals her and uplifts her. Luke 8:48 “And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.””

A smoking flax he will not quench- Those who have little strength, insignificant

Matt 11:28-29 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

We see an example of this with the woman at the well in John 4. An adulterer. An outcast. He knew all about her past. Yes he picked her out to be the first Samaritan to know he was the Saviour.

c) Determined to bring salvation v.4

i) He will not fail or be discouraged

Establised justice- Established God’s righteous reign, God’s kingdom.

He has done this through his perfect life, his atoning death on the cross. His resurrection from the dead. His ascension into heaven and now his ongoing heavenly session where he intercedes for his people.

This is done through the gospel and people’s hearts being subdued to King Jesus.

This verse is quoted in the NT in Acts 13:47 where it is paraphrased as bringing salvation.

Application-

The LORD says Behold my Servant.

You who are weary, at the end of your rope- Here is one who will not break a bruised reed . Come to him. Depend on his grace

You who have little faith- Here is one who will not quench a smoking flax. Look to Jesus. Ask him to give you grace.

You who know your sin- Here is one who can offers you his righteousness. He is the one in whom the Father delights.

II. Jesus is commissioned. The work of Christ v.5-9

The LORD speaks to the Servant

Christ’s commission is bookended with the LORD declaring truths about himself.

In v.5 Yahweh is the Almighty creator

In v.8 Yahweh is jealous for his glory

In v.6-7 we find Christ’s commission.

a) Sent by the LORD v.6a

i) Called by the Father v.6a

He was sent by the Father. Covenant of redemption. The plan of salvation is Trinitarian. The Father gave a people to the Son, The Son came into the world to purchase salvation for them. The Holy Spirit now applies that salvation.

ii) Upheld and Kept

The Father never left the Son. He sustained him. Upheld him.

b) He comes to save v.6b-7

i) Given as a covenant to the people

He came to fulfil the covenant of grace. As sinful men and woman the only way we can have fellowship with God is if he decides to bring us to himself by free grace.

This is what he has done in Christ.

Jesus has fulfilled all of the covenant stipulations on our behalf as our representative. He fulfilled all righteousness. He then shed his precious blood as an atonement for our sins. He rose again from the dead.

Now by faith in him we receive all the blessings of the new covenant- eternal life. forgiveness of sins. Peace with God.

Mt 26:28 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

ii) As a light to the gentiles

One who will take away spiritual darkness.

iii) To bring salvation to those in spiritual darkness

Application-

Jesus has accomplished full redemption for this who turn from their sin and believe in him.

Christian you have been accepted in the beloved.

Unbeliever You need Jesus to be your Saviour.

Conclusion

Behold my Servant-

The knowledge of the coming Messiah brought comfort to God’s people in exile all those years ago.

Today we can say the Saviour has come. We can draw boundless comfort as we consider who he is and what he has done for us if we believe in him.

But as we think about Jesus that he is the Father’s delight, he is gentle and lowly and he was determined to bring salvation. He was given as a covenant and brings light to the gentiles.

We need to make it clear that simply to look at Jesus is not enough.

You must look to him. You must depend upon him yourself. He is willing and he is able.

As it says elsewhere in Isaiah 45:22 ““Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth!”