Jesus: The Totally Submitted Servant

Every so often in Isaiah there is what is called a “Servant Song” They always speak of aspects of the ministry of Jesus but also about opposition to Him.

There was one in 42 and one in 49.

Tonight we will see the 3rd one. And in it we will see aspects of His suffering in graphic terms.

In a few weeks we will see Isaiah describe why He suffered.

Lord GOD- Adonai Jehovah. 4 times vs 4, 5, 7, 9.

There is absolute submission of Jesus to the Father’s will.

Mentally

Isaiah 50:4 HCSB

The Lord God has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

This is a rich verse.

His speech is filled with knowledge that is able to sustain the weary.

Sustain the weary: normally this word sustain has the idea of something being bent in a negative sense like something crooked or someone who cheats but it also points to stooping or bending to help a person who is faint or exhausted.

Question: How does one gain that kind of knowledge? Did Jesus just come into the world knowing everything? Luke says that Jesus GREW in wisdom. He learned.

They second half of this verse says that Jesus was awakened by the Lord each morning. It wasn’t just another day above ground. It was that he woke up and his ears listened to what the Lord has to say to Him.

If Jesus needed to spend time with the Father EVERY day, how can we not need it 100 times more.

Willfully

Isaiah 50:5–6 HCSB

The Lord God has opened My ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn back. I gave My back to those who beat Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting.

As the Lord instructed Jesus, it wasn’t all pie in the sky stuff… This is pretty heavy stuff.

But no matter what the plan, Jesus stayed true.

Matthew 26:39 HCSB

Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

In verse 6 Isaiah predicts the abuse leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.

Beaten… Beard plucked… scorned… spit upon. All four Gospels share aspects of this happening to Jesus during His trials and execution.

Confidently

Isaiah 50:7–9 HCSB

The Lord God will help Me; therefore I have not been humiliated; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. The One who vindicates Me is near; who will contend with Me? Let us confront each other. Who has a case against Me? Let him come near Me! In truth, the Lord God will help Me; who will condemn Me? Indeed, all of them will wear out like a garment; a moth will devour them.

Since Jesus knew the Father’s Mind, and carried out the Father’s Will, He could be confident that His difficult task would be met with God’s help.

He says twice in these verse God will help me.

He was resolute… face set like flint.

He did not accept the humiliation, the shame, or the condemnation from the crowd of tormentors. He was not a victim, but a victor. He predicted that the enemies of God would wear out like a garment.

Someone has said that the cross of Calvary was the safest place Jesus could be because it was the center of God’s will.

Pleadingly

Isaiah 50:10–11 HCSB

Who among you fears the Lord, listening to the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of Yahweh; let him lean on his God. Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with firebrands; walk in the light of your fire and in the firebrands you have lit! This is what you’ll get from My hand: you will lie down in a place of torment.

Notice the invitation:

Do you fear the Lord?

Do you walk in darkness?

Turn to the Lord, Trust in the Lord, lean on the Lord.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is pleading.

Notice that the invitation includes a warning:

If you are in darkness, don’t try to light your own way… that ends in destruction… There is a way that seems right to a man.

Your good works won’t cut it. Your ideas aren’t enough. Your righteousness will always fall short.