1. The LORD wanted to accomplish His purpose (Isaiah 40-41) through His Servant
(a) The LORD has a special relationship with the Servant (verse 1)
(a1) Uphold
(a2) Chosen
(a3) Delight
(a4) Empowered by the Spirit
(b) The Servant is not identified in the passage with a name, but it refers to a person who would come in the future (it is a messianic passage)
(b1) At Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration, Father affirmed His relationship with Jesus (Matthew 3:17 & 17:5 vs Isa 42:1)
(b2) The writer of Gospel according to Matthew identifies the Servant with Jesus (Matthew 12:17-21)
(c) What kind of person is He? (The description is given about 700 years before He came)
(c1) Gentle (verse 2)
(c2) The Servant will not deal with people harshly, but with compassion and worth
(c3) “A bruised reed” and “smoldering wick” (verse 3) refers to a group of people who are characterized by:
– Broken, abused, worthless, meant to be discarded, no value to the people
– Not much life is left in them, but are just surviving
(c4) The Servant’s dealing with people is completely different from the Kings and leaders of Judea
(c5) The Servant perseveres until justice is established (verse 4) to the bruised and broken
(c6) The Servant will fan and bring out any small good thing remaining in His people (verse 3: “smoldering wick”)
(c7) Justice to the nations (verses 1, 3, 4)
2. Jesus fulfills the ministry of the Servant (Matthew 11:28-30)
(a) Jesus the Servant invites those who are weary and burdened (an expression like “bruised reed” and “smoldering wick”) to Him for rest (verse 28)
(a1) Weary and burdened (present tense): Tired ones who need relief and refreshment, who are at the verge of giving up
(a2) Rest: relief, refreshment: it is a fundamental human wellbeing
(b) Those who are “weary” and “burdened” need to come under the yoke of Jesus the Servant and learn from Him (verse 29-30)
(b1) They need to learn by “submitting” to Jesus (yoke cf. Isaiah 42:4)
(b2) They get sustaining grace
3. Take Away
Experience the ministry of Jesus the Servant of God
