God’s Chosen Servant

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Hymn - NAME OF ALL MAJESTY (320) - Timothy Dudley-Smith

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Psalm 77:4–6 “You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:”

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Hymn - REVIVE YOUR CHURCH, O LORD (540) - Albert Midlane

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Hymn - WITH JOY WE CONTEMPLATE THE GRACE (505) - Isaac Watts 1674-1748

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Reading

Matthew 12:15–21 ESV

Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Sermon

Jesus: Lord of the Sabbath

Heads of Grain

Man with withered

Pharasees plot with Herodians

Matthew 12:15–16 ESV

Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known.

Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there

Many followed him

He healed them all

He ordered them not to make him known

Jesus was not seeking fame

He did not wish to stand out as a worker of miracles

He did not seek the vanity of earthly glory

Nor did his miracles constitue the reason for his incarnation and dwelling will mankind

They were completely in harmony with the humble “Servant of Jehovah” of Isaiah’s prophecies

Matthew 12:17 ESV

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

Matthew does not give a word for word reproduction

He provides an profound sympathetic reflection, inspired by the Holy Spirit

Matthew’s version leaves no doubt that the former tax collector had indeed caught the trust of Isaiah’s strikingly beautiful description of the coming Messiah (Christ)

The first of four prophesies, 700 years before, regarding the Servant of Jehovah (others Isa 49:1-9; Isa 50:4-9 & Isa 52:13-53:12)

Isaiah 42:1–4 ESV

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.

Matthew 12:18 ESV

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 42:1 “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.”

Background:

Matthew interprets these verses as Philip, John and Peter interpreted Isaiah 53.

These verses link Isaiah 42 & Isaiah 53

Isaiah 42:6–7 ESV

“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

It is imple impossible to interpret the passage intelligibily except as referring to and being fulfilled in Jesus

“The Servant of Jevovah” can only refer to the Son fo God, who is also the Son of Man

Matthew’s words....

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased”

Matthew 3:17 “and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””

“I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles”

“Justice” (defined through Deuteronomy)

that sinners repent

come to the Saviour

find salvation in him

out of gratitude live to flory their Saviour

Jesus’ frame of mind and heart is the very opposite of his enemies

Matthew 12:19 ESV

He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;

Isaiah 42:2 “He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;”

Ravings of a “ruler among fools” associated with quarrelling

Ecclesiastes 9:17 “The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”

Completely different is the meek and gentle Saviour

Meeknes

Power under control

Balance

Opposite of Pride / Arrogance

Making a stand against Sin

Kindness / Gentleness

sweetness of temper, especially to inferiors

courteous to those who have wronged us

Jesus taught against revenge & hatred

required to oppose error, sinfulness & false teaching

Matthew 12:20 ESV

a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;

Isaiah 42:3 “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.”

bruised reed - the weak and helpess

smoldering wick - those of little faith

Pharasees were cruel against such as these

vanity and their public displayes

Jesus showed kindness

reserved and meek

profound and genuine sympathy

He imparts strength to the weak

Healed the sick

seek and save tax-collectors and sinners (9:9-10)

comfort mourners (5:4)

cheer the fearful (14:13-21)

reassure doubters (11:2-6)

feed the famished (14:13-21)

grant pardon to those who repent of their sins (9:2)

“until he brings justice to victory”

Until judgement day when sin and its consequences will have bene banished forever from God’s redeemed universe

The Justice of God will triump completely for Isaiah 11:9 “... for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Matthew 12:21 ESV

and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Isaiah 42:4 “He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.”

Israel’s Saviour must become “the world’s Saviour”

1 John 4:14 ESV

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

Foreglimpse of Gospel proclaimation and salvation for the Gentiles as well as for Jews, predicted yet not widely realised during the old dispensation:

Abraham

Genesis 22:15–18 ESV

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Jonah

Malachi’s Prophesy

Malachi 1:11 ESV

For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

Can be seen in:

Simeon when Jesus presented at the temple

Luke 2:29–32 ESV

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Jesus’ words....

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Victory in “a great multitude from every nation” (Rev. 7:9–17)

Hymn - I'M NOT ASHAMED TO NAME MY LORD (792) - Isaac Watts 1674-1748

Closing Prayer

Doxology