"Behold My Servant" (Isaiah 42:1-9)

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Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

“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” (Isaiah 42:1).

 

“Behold My Servant.” With this announcement, Yahweh announces something special, something very important. Of course, Yahweh chose to call many servants. He called Abraham, Moses, David, Caleb, Job, and Isaiah His servants. And oddly enough, God even called heathen kings Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus His servants, since they carried out His judgment upon God’s unfaithful people. Also included as God’s “servant” are the ancient nation of Israel, whom God often called deaf and blind.

 

All of these servants had a special purpose in God’s plan of salvation. God certainly chose each one for His special task. They either were examples to God’s people, or they were to carry out judgment upon God’s unfaithful people.

 

But there is something different going on here in Isaiah 42. Here, Yahweh is making an announcement of special importance. Here, Yahweh announces this Servant boldly and dramatically: “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” (Isaiah 42:1).

 

It's like God is saying, “Here He is!” No other Servant of the Lord has received such an introduction, so this announcement signals something quite different and important about this Servant as compared to the others.

 

But who is this Servant? There is so much ambiguity in our text. But ambiguity can also enrich our reading. Ambiguity can cause us to meditate on God’s divine Word. So, who is this Servant who fulfills this prophecy?

 

If we were to place everyone whom God calls His servant together and look at them, Yahweh would direct our attention to just this One Servant. For example, if all these servants were placed on a table and spread out like rare coins, Yahweh would be pointing at One of them saying, “Behold My Servant! This is the One!”

In Isaiah 41, one chapter earlier, God provides a contrast to reveal the importance of this Servant. God pointed to the false gods saying, “Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their metal images are empty wind” (Isaiah 41:29). What a contrast to the very next verse in Chapter 42! The works of these false gods are nothing, because they are nothing. Now, the Servant introduced here will carry out the Lord’s work.

 

Now that Yahweh has our attention, He tells us why this Servant is so especially important. And certainly, God chose this Servant much like He had chosen other servants, including Abraham before Him. Each of the prophets were chosen for their special role, including David, who sought after God’s own heart, despite his many flaws.

 

But again, this Servant is different. To this Servant, Yahweh endows with special gifts and importance.  This Servant would “bring forth justice to the nations” (Isaiah 42:1d). This Servant would not only serve the single nation of Israel, but also serve the Gentiles – the entire world!

 

Now, this word “justice” is a judgment based on a legal decision. “Justice” is a term that defines the Gospel, which is God’s legal and judicial announcement that He has declared the entire world right, holy, and innocent. This “justice” is good news! This is good news to a world that stands before God’s court convicted of sin. This judgement exists because of the work of this Servant. And God would put His Spirit on this Servant so that He could accomplish His task.

 

But how would this Servant accomplish this task? Although Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and David are God’s servants, this Servant will not accomplish this task by force. This Servant would be meek, modest, and mild. This Servant “will not cry aloud or lift up His voice, or make it heard in the street” (Isaiah 42:2).

 

Even Abraham rescued Lot by force, and Moses sent the Levites out with swords drawn to restore order. But not this Servant. This Servant would come into Jerusalem “righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

 

Cyrus stomped his way to victory. His coming filled the coastlands with fear. This Servant would be gentle; the people would hope in the words of this Servant. “A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench; He will faithfully bring forth justice” (Isaiah 42:3).

In Isaiah 11, the prophet wrote that this Servant would be a “shoot” from the stump of Jesse and that “the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him” (Isaiah 11:2). It would be the Holy Spirit who would anoint this Servant to accomplish His tasks. “He will not grow faint or be discouraged till He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for His law” (Isaiah 42:4). This Servant will accomplish His task of establishing justice on the earth.

 

God’s people longed for the appearance of this Servant. Then, at the appointed time, God removed all questions about this Servant’s identity. “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him” (Matthew 3:13). John the Baptizer attempted to prevent Jesus from being baptized, but Jesus said to John, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

 

“Yes,” Jesus says, “It does seem odd to baptize the sinless Lamb of God, but this must be done, so all who will be baptized will receive My righteousness. For this must take place!”

 

You see, God demands righteousness. So, Yahweh had a special reason for choosing His Servant: it was in connection with righteousness. God demands that the entire human race be righteous, but every step the human race takes proves us to be unrighteous. We have even failed obedience to God’s Law in loving God and serving our neighbor that was intended to produce a righteous people.

 

But the triune God devised a plan, a plan from before time. The triune God would send the Second Person of the Trinity to be incarnate to make all people righteous. God Himself would rescue His people through this called Servant.

 

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. Paul wrote in Romans 3: “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:22).

 

As Jesus came out of the water of the Jordan River, two important things happened. First, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, and second, God the Father’s voice rang out saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

 

At this moment in time, as Jesus came out of the water, it cannot be mistaken who Yahweh’s special Servant is: He is our Lord Jesus Christ. He is God’s Servant who came to carry out His righteousness to deliver righteousness to the people.

 

Now, this Servant’s task would be difficult. He would bring justice, justification, and salvation to the ends of the earth, but it would not be through brute force or by any show of might, but in the humility and shame of the cross.

 

Jesus, the Servant, came to bring atonement between God and man. And this could only be done through receiving a sinner’s baptism – a washing that was not necessary for Him, but surely necessary for us, so that through our baptism into Christ, we receive the fruits of His cross: forgiveness, life, and salvation, and all by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, the beloved Servant.

 

Throughout His earthly ministry, this Servant would open the eyes of the blind and free captives who sit in darkness. But these physical realities also refer to spiritual realities. 

 

You see, when you are spiritually imprisoned to sin, your flesh is calling all the shots. You are not in control. Your sin is in control, and you are a slave to it. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, stealing, sexual immortality. Just name it.

 

When left to our own devises, we are always snared by sin. Because of sin, all humanity remains blind to the truths of God. Because of sin, all humanity remains in bondage. Because of sin, all humanity are slaves to sin and are doomed to eternal punishment.

 

Through Christ alone, the Servant, He would bring release from sin’s bondage and from the dungeon of judgment. Long ago, God destined His Servant to set us free from our evil foes: sin, death, and the devil. Because Christ died for your sins and rose again, triumphing over sin and death, He by faith in Him has set you free from bondage!

 

Today, we can look in awe of this Servant Yahweh foretold in Isaiah 42, because we are the recipients of this Servant’s work. We are among those who have our eyes opened to the light of His grace. We are among those freed from the prison of death. We are among those called out of darkness and into His marvelous light. We are God’s children whom He has chosen as His own. Amen.

 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

 keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.  

+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

"The Royal Inauguration" (Matthew 21:1-11)

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Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

“And when [Jesus] entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:10-11).

 

Today, we begin a new Church Year, and the purpose of every Church Year is to put Jesus before our eyes.

 

To the world, most of their minds – maybe even yours – is on Christmas. Most of the world is thinking about Christmas decorating and shopping for loved ones. Radio stations began playing pop Christmas songs on November 1. And for so many of us, when you think about Jesus this time of year, we often think of Jesus as the babe in the manger.

 

But here we are on this First Sunday in Advent, and we hear about Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. What’s up with that? Again, the purpose as we begin each Church Year is that we do not lose sight on what truly matters: Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen for sinners.

 

It always does seem odd though to begin the Church Year at practically the end. But this is why Jesus came in the first place. He came to bring atonement between God and man.

 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Magi came from the east to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). This question greatly disturbed King Herod. He was troubled. This troubled Herod because he was obviously nearing the end of his time and was not sure who would succeed him. And there was no doubt that Herod’s violent and bloody reign had demonstrated how determined he was to maintain his grip on power – even though his power was severely limited being under Roman rule.

 

So when Herod’s fear was aroused, all of Jerusalem was disturbed right along with him.

 

Now, some thirty-plus years have passed between that first Christmas Day and Palm Sunday, and during that interval St. Matthew does not record a single time Jesus was called a king. He was called many other titles. Jesus was called “Son of David,” and that messianic title certainly does come with royal overtones, but it was not until that Palm Sunday that Jesus was proclaimed to be a king. According to St. Luke, the crowds roared: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 19:38a). And according to St. John, the crowds cheered: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13). And once again, some thirty-some years after His birth, “the whole city was stirred up” again (Matthew 21:10).

 

They ask, “Who is this Jesus?” “Where has this Jesus come from?”

 

Back when Jesus was 12 years old, He famously went up to Jerusalem with His mother Mary and His guardian Joseph to celebrate the Feast of the Passover (Luke 2:41-52). When the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. After searching for Him, they returned to Jerusalem and after three days, they found Him in the temple. 

 

Now, traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover was something pious Jews did every year. So, we can assume that Jesus made many trips to Jerusalem to observe the Passover. But this time would be different. Very different. For this occasion, Jesus was very much aware that He was going up to Jerusalem to die. And He taught this fact to His very own apostles that He would be handed over to the chief priests and later condemned to death, but on that third day would rise again.

 

As Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover for the last time, He wanted the attention of all the people of Jerusalem to be focused solely on Him. This is why He made some rather peculiar preparations before entering the city.

 

“Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once” (Matthew 21:1-3).

 

This would be a strange way for Jesus to be acknowledged as the King of Israel. Through the Prophet Zechariah, God calls the coming King “humble” (Zechariah 9:9). 

Normally, powerful people are not humble. Normally, powerful people are far from being called “humble.” Normally, powerful people are aware of how important they are, and they expect others to be duly impressed by and deferential to them. They can be harsh and abrasive, because they havepower. Normally, to be humble or gentle is seen as a sign of powerlessness. Not so with Jesus.

 

Jesus enters Jerusalem upon an ordinary lowly beast of burden rather than a magnificent white stallion, as other kings would have done. Jesus did not wear a kingly robe or royal crown. There was no scepter in His hand. His attendants were mostly Galilean fishermen. His procession looked far from a royal procession, yet there was an obvious and undeniable majesty about Him. This Jesus was powerful, but not in the way of the world (1 Corinthians 1:25).

 

This humility of Jesus is the theme from the manger all the way to the cross. It is a weakness according to the world, but it is powerful because God works salvation in it. Salvation is not accomplished by external force or by gaining earthly power. Jesus’ humility is not a sign of powerlessness, but of a refusal to rule by force or coercion, and of His willingness to die for us.

 

Again, Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem didn’t look like a royal procession, but the multitudes were moved to shout: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9).

 

According to earthly standards, Jesus was far from being a king. He rode into town on a donkey. That’s a far cry from any royal steed. But Jesus is the King. 

 

Because Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, His mission has often been misunderstood. Herod feared Jesus as competition. Jesus was handed over to Pilate because He was declared a challenge to Caesar. But Jesus has not come to overthrow earthly rulers, nor to establish any earthly kingdom.

 

Jesus rules only by Word and Spirit, not by any external force. Jesus rules by calling and enlightening His disciples. He gives faith and a change of heart, so that we cling to Him as King. We didn’t choose Him as King, He chose us and made us His people.

 

Jesus is the mighty King. He is more powerful than all the great kings of all times. He is more powerful than all the world leaders of our own day.

 

Only He, by His cross, has the power to save from sin. Only He has the power to grant eternal life. Only He has the power to make enemies of God into children of God. Only He has the power to transform us so that we live godly lives.

 

Certainly, the manner by which Jesus entered Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday showed that He had no intentions of setting Himself up as an earthly king. The throne He would ascend would not be a fancy seat, but His throne to which He would ascend would be Him nailed to a crude wooden cross. The crown He would wear would not be adorned with jewels but would be a crown of thorns piercing His forehead.

 

Yet, Jesus would establish His Kingdom, but not by the traditional way by shedding the blood of his enemies, but by shedding His own holy precious blood. Through His humility, through His innocent suffering and death, Jesus would establish a Kingdom of greater glory and greater majesty than any earthly kingdom before or since. He gave all who trust in Him His Kingdom.

 

Today’s Gospel reading contain some very familiar words that we sing each Sunday: “Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” These familiar words of the Sanctus remind us that the same Jesus who rode up into Jerusalem on a donkey comes to us under the bread and wine of the Sacrament of the Altar. On our own, we would never guess that we are receiving Christ’s very Body and His very Blood in this Sacrament, but Jesus says, “This is My Body. … This is My Blood.” Through the eyes of faith, we see so much more than just simple bread and simple wine, because our ears have heard what Jesus said.

 

We sing the Sanctus as we praise Christ knowing who He is, the promised Savior. We praise Christ, who feeds us with His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of our sins, praising Him for who He is, our Savior, and for what He richly does, forgives our sins.

 

The crowds on that Palm Sunday may not have seen the significance of their own words, but we on this First Sunday in Advent do. He came to inaugurate His royal kingdom. Jesus has come to be our King. He has come to bring reconciliation between God and man. He is Here today hidden in His Means of Grace. And He will one day truly reveal Himself again on the Last Day! Christ is King. Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

 keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.  

+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +