TEXT: Isaiah 42:1-4
READING: Isaiah 45:1-17
SUBJ: The prophetic characterizations of the man Christ Jesus as the Servant of God as He took our place and is the example in all to us.
AIM: That we should reminded of that essential role of Christ in bringing salvation to us.
INTR: Many years ago, I announced that I was going to reveal the identity of the elect. You might imagine the reaction. Having preached that this was something known only to God and a matter of His choice and that we were to preach the Gospel to every creature.
1. Of course, my reference was to this text and all that pertained to the revelation of Christ to us as the chosen one.
2. Today, I would call particular attention to the identity of Christ as the servant and some implications of Him being so identified.
3. There are four instances in which He is called the Servant, and we will refer to them in order and we will look briefly at each. (See, our text, Isaiah 49:1-6, Isaiah 50:4-11, and Isaiah 52:13-15). These are often referred to as the Servant Songs.
THESIS: It is critical that we understand the dual nature of Christ our Lord. We know that He is God manifest in the flesh. It was essential that He lived His life here on earth as would be required of all who are accepted of God. We would consider Him in each of these texts.
I. Isaiah 42:1-4
1. How seemingly that He should so be identified as servant and yet we see the commitment here to uphold Him as His chosen from all eternity.
2. Consider that it is He in whom is the object of delight and we are reminded of the words from above at His baptism. “This is my beloved Son…”
3. The Spirit was witnessed both at the baptism and as the One who led Him into the wilderness to be tempted – we note the submission of Christ to all.
4. This would be the One to bring judgment to the Gentiles.
5. He went about declaring the Gospel, but He did not go as a salesman or a contentious one.
6. Of note is the reference here to the “bruised reed” and the “smoking flax.”
1) We would be reminded here of the many who were suffering and came to Him, and they were not refused.
2) Instances were, the Leper, the palsied man, and the call to “come unto me…”
3) But then we think of others like Peter who was often rebuked, but not broken, even when he denied our Lord.
7. And He shall not fail in all that was given Him to do until “He hath set judgment in the earth: the isles wait for His law.
II. Isaiah 49:1-6
1. Another unmistakable reference to the Servant (verse 3).
2. This is a clear reference to His birth and all surrounding it. Called from the womb, His name declared along with what He would do. Jesus, Immanuel.
1) There could be no other that the writer intended who would be one with such capacities. A sharp sword – we are reminded of the references to Him as the Word, but also noting that references to the sword of the Spirit with its capabilities of discernment.
2) John Gill and others see the use of the name Israel here as a synonym for Christ in this case. They may have reference to the meaning of Israel – “He shall rule as God.”
3. Verse 5 sees the purpose of God in calling Him from the womb to be His servant.
4. And it is in His capacity as the Servant not only to restore the preserved of Israel, but also to be a light to the Gentiles. (See verse 6).
III. Isaiah 50:4-11
1. The Servant is again depicted as functioning in several capacities: especially that of the “tongued of the learned.” The purpose is declared – His word is always in due season.
2. Again, as we Him as the Servant – morning by morning He is awakened indicating attentiveness to one always learning and,
3. Verse 5 seems to suggest the submissiveness that was pictured when the indentured servant made a lifetime commitment by having his ear bored with an awl.
4. But then, we see the servant abused:
1) His back to the smiters, His cheeks to the plucking off the hair.
2) He hid not His face from the worst that men could do (the greatest of insults is indicated here.
3) All this as the Servant doing that which was ordained of God – It was by wicked hands that He was crucified and slain.
5. He would not be confounded:
1) The Lord God would help Him and with that knowledge He
2) Put on the air of determination – His face like a flint (witnessed in Luke 9:51).
6. The nearness of God who would justify Him.
7. Verses 10 and 11 have long been a resource for me and it seems that this was first experienced by the Servant here in His ordeal on the cross. Fears the Lord, obeys the voice of the servant, walks in darkness, has no light – stay upon His God.
IV. Isaiah 52:13-15
1. Verse 13 – The Servant
2. Verse 14 – The Sufferer
3. Verse 15 – The Sovereign
