The Light For The Nations | The Servant Songs | Isaiah 49:1-6 | Pastor J. M. Lee

The Servant Songs  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  36:40
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Good morning, and welcome to Mission Church!
As we continue through this Advent season, we’re reminded that Advent is a time of waiting—it’s a time to reflect on the promises of God fulfilled in Jesus Christ and to look forward to His return — the glorious future day when God will restore His creation and make all things new.
This year, we’ve been focusing on the Servant Songs of Isaiah—and these passages— they give us a stunning glimpse of God’s plan to bring salvation to the world. You see — these songs point us directly to Jesus, the Servant who came to fulfill God’s promises. And as we live in the tension between Christ’s first coming and His return, these songs fill us with hope.
A few weeks ago, we explored Isaiah 42, where God introduced His Servant as the one who brings justice and hope to the nations. And today, we turn to Isaiah 49. So, if you have a Bible, please go ahead and open it to Isaiah 49.
Our passage this morning is an autobiographical account, where the Servant Himself speaks directly into the brokenness and despair that so many of us feel. It’s a reminder that even when life is messy and we feel forgotten, God is faithful. And it’s because of Jesus that we have hope and a future—not because of our goodness or ability, but because of what Jesus has done and what He will do when He returns.
Now, if you’re able, please stand for the reading of God’s Word.
Isaiah 49:1–6 (CSB)
1 Coasts and islands, listen to me;
distant peoples, pay attention.
The Lord called me before I was born.
He named me while I was in my mother’s womb.
2 He made my words like a sharp sword;
he hid me in the shadow of his hand.
He made me like a sharpened arrow;
he hid me in his quiver.
3 He said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
4 But I myself said: I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and futility;
yet my vindication is with the Lord,
and my reward is with my God.
5 And now, says the Lord,
who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him
so that Israel might be gathered to him;
for I am honored in the sight of the Lord,
and my God is my strength—
6 he says,
“It is not enough for you to be my servant
raising up the tribes of Jacob
and restoring the protected ones of Israel.
I will also make you a light for the nations,
to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
This is the Word of the Lord
Let’s pray
Have you ever felt completely forgotten? Or maybe even abandoned? Like you were overlooked or left behind—so much so that it made you wonder if anyone truly sees you?
Maybe it was a friend or a family member—someone who didn’t show up when you needed them the most. Or maybe it was in one of those seasons of loneliness or despair—when it felt like no one truly understood what you were going through.
Now — I don’t know about you — but there have been seasons in my life when I have felt like God had forgotten me. And — it’s in those dark nights of the soul—when life feels heavy and the brokenness of the world presses down—that we can find ourselves wondering: Has God forgotten me? Has He abandoned us? Is He still at work?
Tell me — How can we have hope when life feels messy and broken? What do we do when we feel forgotten—by others, and sometimes, even by God?
This is the same struggle the people of God were facing in Isaiah 49. You see — God’s people were in exile — they were a conquered people —they were defeated, displaced, and humiliated. The Babylonians had destroyed their city and burned their temple to the ground — stripping them of their identity, purpose, and security. And in their despair they wondered: Has God forsaken us? Has He forgotten His promises?
Sound familiar? Now — we might not be exiles in Babylon, but as God’s people, we are “sojourners and exiles” in a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11). And in this wilderness, life can be overwhelming. Some days — waiting for the Lord’s return can feel endless. Some days — God seems silent — and nothing seems to change.
But — here’s the good news — Isaiah 49 does not leave us in our despair. Instead — it shines a light on the unshakable truth of God’s faithfulness — that He never forgets His people — even when we are in the darkest of moments —we can be sure that God is at work. For — God’s promises stand firm — and His plans are never derailed—not by our circumstances and not by our failures.
Brothers and sisters — God sees you. He knows you. He has not abandoned you and you have a hope and a future — and not because of your ability or your goodness — but because of Jesus — because of what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do when He returns.
This morning, we’re going to see this truth unfold in our text as we consider three descriptions of the Servant of the Lord.
I. The Servant’s Call vv. 1-2
II. The Servant’s Identity vv.3-4
III. The Servant’s Mission vv. 5-6
Let’s begin with the first description:
I. The Servant’s Call vv. 1-4
As we step into the first part of our text, Isaiah’s vision begins to expand. Up to this point — the focus has been on Israel’s immediate circumstances—their despair as a defeated and displaced people — sitting in exile and longing for hope. But here — Isaiah lifts their eyes beyond their immediate struggles. He wants them to see something bigger — He wants them to see the broader redemptive plan of God.
It’s true — at this moment in history — Israel was waiting for deliverance. They had been conquered by Babylon—their city destroyed, their temple burned. But now — Babylon had fallen to the Persian Empire, and word was spreading about a new ruler, Cyrus, who might allow them to return home and rebuild.
And for many Israelites, this seemed like the beginning of restoration. You see — they hoped for a "new exodus"—a second chance to rebuild their lives, their city, and their temple. But — Isaiah’s vision isn’t just about returning to Jerusalem. No! — God had something so much bigger in mind. And so — Isaiah shifts the spotlight from the people of God to the Servant of the Lord. And this Servant — well — He is no ordinary figure. He is the Messiah—God’s chosen one—through whom redemption would come — and — not just for Israel — but for the entire world.
Look at verse 1
Isaiah 49:1 (CSB)
1 Coasts and islands, listen to me; distant peoples, pay attention.
The Servant begins by addressing the "coasts and the islands"—a phrase that refers to the Gentile nations far beyond Israel’s borders. And — if you were an Israelite hearing this prophecy for the first time — this might have struck you as strange. After all — Isaiah was a prophet to Judah. His ministry was to God’s chosen people. So why is the Servant addressing the Gentiles?
Here’s why: From the very beginning, God’s plan for salvation was always bigger than Israel.
Yes, God chose Israel to be His covenant people — but they were never meant to keep His blessings to themselves. They were called to be a light to the nations so that all people—Jew and Gentile—might come to know and worship the Lord. But Israel failed in this mission.
And here — in Isaiah 49 — we see the Servant stepping into Israel’s role — to be the true light to the nations — the one who will bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. And friends — this means that Jesus is not just the Servant for Israel—He’s the Servant for the whole world. He is the one who calls all people to Himself .
Look again at the Servant’s words — He says, "Listen to me. Pay attention." And understand — this call to listen — it’s not flippant — it’s not a mere suggestion — rather — it’s a divine imperative — it’s a command — it’s the authoritative declaration of God. And we see this same authoritative call throughout Jesus’ ministry. Jesus—the fulfillment of the Servant—constantly urged people to listen.
In Matthew 11:15 Jesus says,
Matthew 11:15 (CSB)
15 Let anyone who has ears listen.
And friends — this is no empty phrase — this is a call to truly hear Christ’s words, to receive them, and to respond in faith and obedience.
Let me ask you: Are you listening to Him?
Are you creating space to hear Jesus in the middle of all the noise and the distractions of this world? Are you reading Scripture with ears ready to hear and hearts prepared to obey? Are you submitting to His authority in your life? Are you aligning yourself under His lordship? Or — are you simply listening passively — hearing His words but failing to obey?
Friends — the Servant’s call in Isaiah 49—and Jesus’ call throughout His ministry—demands a response. And — understand— this isn’t just about hearing. It’s about repenting of your sin. It’s about obedience to God’s Word. It’s about worship — and — it’s about living your life with the mission to make disciples of Jesus.
The Servant continues — look back at verse 1
Isaiah 49:1 (CSB)
1…The Lord called me before I was born. He named me while I was in my mother’s womb.
Do you see the connection here? Just like the Servant in Isaiah 49 — Jesus was called and He was named before He was even born. Matthew 1:21 is helpful for it tells of the angel Gabriel who appeared to Joseph and told Him that Mary …
Matthew 1:21 (CSB)
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Jesus literally means "The Lord saves." You see — His very name points to His mission — to save us from our sins. Think about this for a moment………..before Jesus was born, before He performed a single miracle, before He preached a single sermon — His mission was already clear. God had planned it all — from eternity past — God knew that Jesus would step into the brokenness of this world to rescue us, to redeem us, and to restore what sin had shattered.
And here’s what I love about this: God’s plan for salvation was never Plan B. It wasn’t a reaction to Adam’s failure or Israel’s failure or your failure — or even to the mess of this world. No — this was God’s plan all along. Even in the middle of Israel’s exile — when everything felt hopeless — God was working out His plan to save His people.
So what does this mean for us? Well — first — it shows us that God is sovereign over salvation. In other words — salvation isn’t something we earn or achieve — salvation is God’s gift to us, accomplished through Jesus. He planned it. He accomplished it.
Second — it reminds us that God’s plans are always good, even when we don’t understand them. Just as God was faithful to bring about His plan of salvation through Jesus — we can trust that He will be faithful in our lives too. He knows us. He sees us. He’s at work, even when we can’t see what He’s doing. And even better — we know that Jesus is returning to finish the work that He started — and friends — this means that as we walk through the pain and the brokenness of this life — we have the hope of eternal glory — for the one who began the good work of salvation in us has promised to finish what He started!
Now — look at verse 2
Isaiah 49:2 (CSB)
2 He made my words like a sharp sword; he hid me in the shadow of his hand.
Think about what a sword does — a sword cuts, it divides, and it pierces. A sword is weapon of precision and power. And the Servant is saying here that the truth of His words are powerful and they will cut, divide, and pierce just like a sword. His Words will pierce hearts, confront sin — they will cut through deception, divide people, and force people to respond.
I am reminded of Hebrews 4:12 which says,
Hebrews 4:12 (CSB)
12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The words of Christ are not passive — rather they expose falsehood, they reveal hearts, and they bring about restoration. Think about it — when Jesus spoke — He didn’t whisper comfortable platitudes. He came preaching the gospel and calling people to repent of their sin — and His words cut through hypocrisy and self-righteousness — as He confronted both religious leaders and everyday people with the truth of God’s kingdom. That’s why He said in Matthew 10:34.
Matthew 10:34 (CSB)
34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Now — understand— Jesus wasn’t talking about physical violence. He was talking about the spiritual division that comes when truth confronts lies and when the light exposes the darkness. Friends — The Servant’s words are like a sharp sword.
Not only that but — the Servant says — look back at verse 2
Isaiah 49:2 (CSB)
2 … He made me like a sharpened arrow; he hid me in his quiver.
What’s the purpose of an arrow? Well —an arrow is a weapon of precision and purpose — they’re designed to strike their target with accuracy — even at great distances. And God has prepared His Servant as a weapon to wage war against the forces of sin, darkness, and chaos in the world. And like an arrow — which is hidden away until the warrior is ready to shoot it — God kept His Servant hidden until the perfect moment.
Think about this — for centuries — the world waited for God’s Servant to arrive. Think about the promise of Genesis 3:15 which pointed God’s people to the one who would come and crush the serpent’s head and restore what sin had broken— this promise was passed down from generation to generation. In other words — God’s people longed for this promised messiah to come, and yet, God’s timing required patience. And even when Jesus was finally born, He spent 30 quiet years in obscurity — and when the time came — He didn’t conquer through military power or political force but through the transformative power of truth. This is Jesus, the second person of the Trinity who was called by God the Father before His birth to bring salvation to the World.
Now — the servant continues and leads us into the second movement of our text.
II. The Servant’s Identity
Isaiah 49:3 (CSB)
3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
At first glance — this verse can be a little confusing. For — God calls the Servant “Israel”. And so the question is — is Isaiah saying that the Servant is the nation of Israel? That might seem like the logical conclusion — but if we read just a little further — in verses 5 and 6 — we see something that doesn’t quite fit. We see that the Servant is tasked with restoring Israel to God.
Now, here’s the head-scratcher: how can Israel restore Israel? Well — the answer lies in how Jesus perfectly fulfills the role that Israel was always meant to play. Let me explain.
If we step back for a moment and look at Israel’s story in the Old Testament — we see that God had a very specific purpose for them. In Exodus 4:22, God refers to Israel as His “firstborn son.” They were set apart to be a priestly nation (Exodus 19:5–6)—a people through whom the promise to Abraham would be fulfilled: that all nations on earth would be blessed through them (Genesis 12:3).
But here’s the problem — Israel didn’t live up to that calling. Over and over, their sin got in the way. Instead of being a light to the nations — they became consumed by idolatry, rebellion, and disobedience. They failed the mission God had entrusted to them.
So — does that mean that God’s plan failed? No! Not at all! And that’s where Jesus comes in. You see— Jesus steps in as the true Israel — the perfect Servant of the Lord. Where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded. He perfectly embodied everything Israel was meant to be—a faithful Son who lived in complete obedience and brought glory to the Father.
If you remember back to our series in Matthew —- We saw this connection in Matthew 2:15, when Matthew — speaking of Jesus’ time as a refugee in Egypt —and he quotes the prophet Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Now — on the surface, Hosea was talking about the nation of Israel being brought out of slavery in the exodus. But Matthew shows us the deeper meaning — He shows us that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of that story. He’s the Son who perfectly fulfills God’s purposes, succeeding where Israel failed.
Now — here’s why this is so important — understand — Jesus isn’t just our substitute in His death—He’s our substitute in His life. Think about it. Israel failed to fulfill their mission — and if we’re honest — so do we. We’re just as prone to disobedience, to rebellion, and to falling short of God’s glory. But Jesus stepped in as our representative. He lived the life we couldn’t live. He succeeded where we failed. And His success becomes our success.
You see — when God calls the Servant “Israel” in Isaiah 49:3, it’s not about the nation—it’s about the Messiah. Jesus is the faithful representative who restores and reconciles sinful Israel—and all of us — to God.
And here’s the beautiful thing: Jesus is where the entire story of Scripture comes together. Every page of the Old Testament is crying out for Him, — pointing us to the One who fulfills God’s promises perfectly. He’s the true and better Adam, He is the the true and better Israel, He is the One who accomplished what no one else could.
And so — as we read Isaiah 49:3 — we’re reminded that God’s plan didn’t fail when Israel failed. It was always about Jesus. He’s the Servant who brings glory to the Father, restores what is broken, and fulfills God’s mission to bless the nations—a mission that’s still unfolding today.
Now, as we move to verse 4, we get a glimpse of the Servant’s human frustration and of God’s divine faithfulness. Look with me at verse 4.
Isaiah 49:4 (CSB)
4 But I myself said: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and futility; …
As I prepared for this morning I was both surprised and comforted by Jesus’ striking statement — that Jesus also experienced moments in His life and ministry when He felt as though He was laboring in vain… that there were days when He was exhausted — as He loved, healed, and preached — He gave everything He had… and in His humanity He felt emptied of His strength and for what?
How could the second person of the trinity — the Messiah — the perfect Servant of the Lord — How could Jesus feel this way?
But — if we stop and think about the life and the ministry of Jesus, it’s not hard to see why He might have felt discouraged. I mean — He lived a life of perfect obedience — He poured Himself out for others — and He proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom of God with unmatched clarity and power. Yet — His own people despised Him and they rejected Him. And then when Jesus was arrested, tried, beaten and crucified — almost everyone He knew abandoned Him— His disciples fled, Peter denied Him, and the crowds who once marveled at His miracles — cried out for His crucifixion. From a human perspective, it might have felt like and looked like His ministry had failed.
Think about this: Jesus — in His earthly life and ministry — He experienced the weight of human emotions — he experienced frustration and exhaustion, and even the weight that comes with feeling like you’ve failed. And this reminds me of Hebrews 4:15 which says,
Hebrews 4:15 (CSB)
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
Brothers and sisters — your savior is not distant. He fully understands what it means to struggle. He knows what it feels like when family and friends walk out on you. He knows the sting of rejection and He knows what it feels like to be discouraged. I can’t tell you how comforting this truth is to me — especially as we labor for the sake of the gospel. There can be times when our partnering with God to see His Kingdom Come feels like an apparent failure. There are times when our efforts seem fruitless. Pastors labor for years and wonder if their many sermons have accomplished anything at all. Parents labor for years only to see their children wander into rebellion.
But in those moments — when you feel inadequate — find hope in the truth that Jesus understands and has felt what you are feeling. He’s been there and the beauty is that He did not give up. Jesus didn’t let that apparent failure define Him or His mission. Rather — He entrusted Himself—and His work—to God.— look back at verse 4 and see the Servants declaration of hope.
Isaiah 49:4 (CSB)
4 … yet my vindication is with the Lord, and my reward is with my God.
In other words — Jesus — despite the feelings of failure and exhaustion He lived with an unshakable confidence that God the Father would accomplish His purposes— even when those purposes were hidden from view.
And friends —this is a powerful reminder for us. Whether you’re a parent praying for a wayward child or someone quietly striving to live faithfully in a world that has been broken and marred by sin — the truth is you’ve probably felt discouraged too — like your labor is in vain. But Jesus shows us how to respond. He points us to a bigger story — one where God takes what looks like failure and turns it into something glorious.
Think about the cross. From a worldly perspective —the cross was the ultimate failure—a condemned man dying in shame. But in God’s hands, that “failure” became the means of salvation for people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
So — when you feel like your efforts are going nowhere — take heart and entrust your work to God, knowing that He is faithful and that He will make something beautiful out of even the smallest seeds of faithfulness.
Now — we’ve seen the Servant’s call, His identity as the true Israel, and His unwavering trust in God through moments of apparent failure — which provide for us a profound hope. But — the story doesn’t stop here. In verse 5 — Isaiah pulls back the curtain even further — revealing to us the grand purpose behind the Servant’s calling. You see — the mission of the Servant isn’t just about restoring Israel—it’s about something so much bigger.
III. The Servant’s Mission
Isaiah 49:5–6 (CSB)
5 And now, says the Lord, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him so that Israel might be gathered to him; for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God is my strength—6 he says, “It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
This is the mission of Jesus and His mission is twofold — on one hand He is to bring back Israel — He is to restore a broken and rebellious people — which in and of itself would have been a monumental task and a miracle in it’s own right— but notice what God says — He says, “that’s too small a thing for His Servant” In other words — the weight of Christ’s mission is so massive, so glorious, that it cannot be confined to just one nation.
Instead — God declares that His servant will be a light for the nations — bringing His salvation to the very ends of the earth. Let that sink in for a moment. Jesus isn’t just the Savior of one group of people; He’s the Savior of the world. His mission is global, expansive, and unstoppable.
And think about how this plays out in the life of Jesus. Even though His earthly ministry was primarily to Israel — you can feel the outward pull toward the Gentiles. From the very beginning — Gentile magi traveled far to worship Him. He praised the faith of a Roman centurion and a Canaanite woman—both Gentiles. Then, after His resurrection, He sent His disciples out with the Great Commission to Go and make disciples of all nations.
This global mission is why Jesus calls Himself the Light of the World. In Him — the deepest darkness—whether it’s spiritual confusion, hopelessness, or sin — gives way to the light of life. Friend — if you’ve ever felt the weight of not knowing where to turn or how to make sense of life — then look to Jesus — for — Jesus doesn’t just illuminate the path — He is the path.
And here’s the beauty — this mission will not fail. It reaches from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, from kings who bow in worship to the last soul brought into His kingdom. So, whether you’re hearing this as someone who already knows Jesus or someone searching for hope — this truth stands—He is the light for you, too. And He is a light that will never fade.
Friend — unless Jesus is your light — you are in darkness. But — you don’t have to stay there. Today, you can know Jesus—the Servant who entered our darkness to bring light, hope, and life. He is the One who never forgets His people, the One who secures our future through His unshakable faithfulness. Repent of your sin and trust in Jesus.
Brothers and sisters — perhaps you know Jesus but you came here today feeling forgotten—overlooked in your pain, weighed down by life’s brokenness, or wondering if God even sees you. Isaiah 49 reminds us that God has not forgotten you. Even in your darkest moments, He sees you, He knows you, and He is at work for your good and for His glory.
Listen to me — God’s promises stand firm. His plans cannot be derailed. And one day, the light of Christ will fill the earth, and every tear will be wiped away. But — until that day — let us walk in the light of His salvation and live as His people, shining the hope of Jesus into a world desperate for His light.
Let’s pray
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