The Servant of Justice
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Handout
Handout
Intro
Hope everyone had amazing Christmas (Potential Sledding Party)
Possible joke about the stage lighting
Today we will be wrapping up the Christmas Season with a partially Christmas related sermon
And this particular book and passage today has been one of my new favorites study wise
Opening Question
If God is a God of justice, what does that mean for our lives?
If you all could turn your bibles to the book of Isaiah Chapter 42
This particular book has got me so interested in a way that is unique from other books of the bible
Prophecy
Not just end times but fulfilled prophecy
Because of this fulfilled prophecy and the topics discussed, this book is not only central for Christians but for the Jews
Cyrus example reigned around 200 years after Isaiah was a prophet
A great conversation opener if you speak to a say “Isn’t it crazy that people don’t think the OT is from God when Isaiah clearly predicts the reign and actions of King Cyrus 200 years in advance?)
Because of these amazing prophecies, this book is also widely studied by the liberals
Not the political liberals
I don’t think Bernie Sanders is probably very interested in this book
The biblically liberal
Think that the bible is basically a good, thought prevoking read and that Jesus was just a sweet guy
Don’t think that Scripture came from God
Here we are at the specific passage of Isaiah 42, which 100% points to Jesus and only Jesus 700 years in advance
Isaiah 42:1-4
Isaiah 42:1-4
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.
3 Aspects of the Servant in Isaiah 42:1-4, so that you might understand the justice that the servant Jesus brings to the world
3 Aspects of the Servant in Isaiah 42:1-4, so that you might understand the justice that the servant Jesus brings to the world
Chosen Servant
Behold
Drawing Attention to a Certain Phrase
In my opinion, is pointing to their being a different servant that previously mentioned in Israel
The previous passage is speaking of a different servant Israel, this denotes a switch in who the servant is
Who is the Servant?
You cannot argue that it is not Jesus if you are a Christian that believes that the book of Matthew is the inspired word of God
Matthew 12.
Even in the other servant songs, if you believe that the Apostles wrote the New Testament inspired by God, then we have to accept that the had revelation by God when they cite these songs as speaking of Jesus.
We as Christians cannot say that Paul messed up, or peter exaggerated.
We have to answer the question why it is Jesus?
It will help you be able to speak with those who follow Judaism or liberal Christians
It will help understand more deeply what Isaiah and later Matthew was saying or explaining
As of right now in the argument, let’s just say it could be any servant of God and let’s see which one is a fit
What does it mean that his soul delights?
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.
Talking about deep satisfaction
Similar wording to Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:16-17
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Not just simply one who God just uses
Pushes back on the views of a human fulfillment
What Spirit is on Him? What does this imply?
This implies the Lord’s personal presence to do a specific job
What type of justice is this? Who cares?
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.
Life giving order in the universe
Perfect atonement perfect government
Those who do wrong will be punished, all will be right in the universe
Double meaning for us
All the evil we see in the world will be punished eventually even if it looks like they all get away with it
Personally, we need to watch how we live our lives because Jesus is coming to bring justice
Illustration
Ever been mad about someone doing something so horrible and getting off with it
That is us
Is nations significant
Speaking of all nations
Pushes back agaisnt Cyrus or another individual as the servant
Ask the question what servant of the Lord brings justice to every nation
Compassionate Servant
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
What does cry aloud or lift up or make it heard mean?
Strongly Contrasting Kings of the Time
Showed off power, destruction, and significance
Speaking of the type of Ministry that Jesus led
Quietly and humbly delivering truth
Confusion of Palm Sunday
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
What does bruised reed and faintly burning wick mean?
Compassion for those that aren’t of value
No one to this servant is unworthy of help or expendable
Jesus care for the weak, oppressed, and barely useful
Context shows us that Israel is discussed as a servant in the previous two Chapters
We are looking at a tired remnant of Israel
Chapter 40
Power to weak
Chapter 41
Do not fear for I am with you
Israel fits much better as the bruised reed that the servant
Faithful Servant
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.
Emphasis on Faithfulness explained
Contrasting with the tiredness and faintness of other servants
Some of us make big claims
Overconfident Winter Camp Snowboarders
Lack of Consistency of Humans
We make goals that we fail on
I’m going to get my life together this year
I’m going to take scripture seriously this year
When discouragement hits we normally fail
Thankfully, this servant with the most important task ever given, is one who is fully faithful to bring forth justice to the world.
Could instead of this servant referring to Israel, it is comparing the true perfect servant to imperfect Israel
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
Again pointing back to a servant who would be faithful to right all the wrongs of the world
Explain he will not grow faint or be discouraged
Ancient Israel was not faithful to carry through the mission that they were given by God
Nature State of sin to be unfaithful, to not be reliable to follow the Lord
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
We should be so thankful that this servant is unlike any other human faithful to His calling, to bring Justice to the World
He will not grow faint or be discouraged
till he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his law.
Explain establish justice, coastlands wait for his law
Coastlands are talking about the farthest parts of the world
Thinking about places extremely remote and far from Israel
Australia, America
When is the last time you talked or cared about Cyrus?
Did Israel do their job of bringing justice to the ends of the earth?
This is more than simply political justice
This is that all that is wrong will be made right
Conclusion
Summary
Servant of Justice
3 Aspects
Chosen Servant to serve justice
Compassionate Servant to serve justice
Faithful Servant to serve Justice
Verdict
Jesus
No one else has been chosen to deliver justice to the nations
His ministry perfectly describes quiet, compassionate service
He showed himself to be perfectly faithful, unlike any other human
Application
Do you live in Light of the Servant of Justice?
When you understand God’s mission of justice, you attitude changes from anger and anxiety to trust in God.
Are you appeciative for the Character of Jesus is spite of our failings
True Spiritual Change starts with acceptance and thankfulness towards who God is