TEXT: MATTHEW 12: 14-21
READING: ISAIAH 42: 1-17
SUBJ: A description of Christ and His merciful approach to those He would save as contrasted with the harsh methods of the world.
AIM: That we should so see Him and seek to imitate Him in our approach to presenting the Gospel.
INTR: The objection to Christ by the Pharisees is well known. Not so much attention is given to our Lord's reaction to it. Especially, this is so as we consider that He often withdrew from them.
He did not come to confront earthly religion so much as He came to engender trust in Himself as the provider of this so great salvation.
After all, it is the goodness of God that leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4)
It is Christ Who is popular with the unseemly multitude and for that established religion hates Him because He takes away their power to enslave,
THESIS: While Christ, God's elect (Isaiah 42), shall in time take down the kingdoms of this world, in the meantime He graciously delivers "bruised reeds and smoking flax" from the power of these kingdoms and provides in them the ability to stand in eternal light and life.
A discretionary withdrawal -- Christ neither submits to them nor challenges here (vv. 14-16)
It was time of great hostility. The Pharisees were angered more by His popularity than by the miracles.
His perception of human thoughts (S.A. John 6) revealed their intent to kill Him.
It was not His time to be made such a spectacle and so He withdraws from what is certain to be a public display of personal deliverance - He would in time be delivered up.
But, what of Isaiah 42:13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. - The time will come when this will be seen.
His was not to be a ministry of confrontation. His Gospel would neither respond to outward attack nor would it use carnal means.
They had heard the Gospel and hated Him for it.
We note that His withdrawal from the Pharisees did not discourage the multitude.
While we are taught to preach the Gospel from the housetops, they were told not to make Him known.
That is, to reveal Him at this time to those who would kill Him
Or perhaps these words were to demon spirits who identified Him (see Mark 3:11-12 11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. 12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.
A prophecy confirmed - Identified in reference to divine purpose for the Gentiles. (vv. 17-18)
This prophecy is from Isaiah 42. Consider two characterizations of Him here:
"Behold My Servant" - Chosen
Not arbitrarily rather because of qualification
Because of His dedication to purpose and His obedience as servant
"My Beloved"
"My soul is well pleased" - Consider the eternal Son and the love of the Father.
And, that He is man, yet the express image of the Father. Cf. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
The Spirit upon Him
To preach, to do miracles, to manifest grace, to display Gifts to be given to men
For the bringing of judgment (the Gospel) to the Gentiles.
Herein is a picture of submission and sovereignty
A Name to be trusted (vv. 19-21)
He would not complain or seek after applause in the manner of men. We are reminded of His entry into Jerusalem in a very inauspicious manner and yet the crowd followed.
He did not come as a conqueror:
Bruised reed not broken - a picture of brokenness and defeat. It had obviously been injured beyond hope (CHS saw this as a picture of a backslider?)
Smoking flax - as in a lamp ready to go out. This is indicative of human inability to sustain. Man seems to flourish for a time but soon, depravity is found out. (CHS saw this as a newborn )
