Turn to Isaiah Chapter 42verses 1to 10 . The years of sore imprisonment are over and not only does Isaiah see the people of God coming back from exile in Babylon - not only does he give them tremendous words of comfort - words to put strength into these men and women - but he sees a very special servant being sent into the world.
We know who that servant was and is - Jesus Christ.
Isaiah sees Jesus Christ the Saviour being born into this world - and sees something of what kind man He will be and what type of ministry He will have.
The doors which are opened by the servant remain open today - but we do not know how much longer they will remain open.
Isaiah sees God sending a servant - now that is a word we seldom use today. It has almost gone out of use - but it is an important word.
If you belong to Jesus Christ, then not only are you a servant - but you are a slave - a prisoner of Christ Jesus and a slave of the Son of God - which enables us to experience perfect freedom.
That is something which the world just cannot see.
What is a servant? A servant is someone who is subservient to someone else - a servant is someone who is at the disposal of someone else. A servant - and this is especially true in the Kingdom of God - a servant is more concerned about serving that any rights he may think he has.
God is going to do more than just speak words of comfort - He is going to send someone who will comfort, fortress and fortify people.
God is going to send someone who will be at His disposal - and who will truly desire to do His Will - someone who will be eager to obey Him. That was Jesus.
Jesus came to do what God had called Israel to do. God’s servant is coming to rescue God’s people – then and now.
God says - I am going to uphold My Servant. Even when Jesus was on the Cross being crucified - shedding His Blood to wash away our sin - God was upholding Him - and three days later revealed all that to the disciples, when Jesus was raised from the dead.
He is my chosen one in who I DELIGHT, and I will put My Spirit upon Him.
Here is God referring to that day when Jesus was baptised in the Jordan river - and as He emerged from the water the Holy Spirit descended upon Him.
Jesus was as saturated with Holy Spirit as He was with water. Then His dynamic powerful sensitive tender Ministry began - preaching - teaching - healing people - setting people free from the influence of bad spirits.
Up to this point in the life of Jesus it had been growth and preparation - now life would never again be the same. Jesus was empowered – He was anointed.
One day Jesus will bring justice to the nations. No-one else can bring justice to the nations - we are very aware of that just now.
Isaiah sees this coming of the Servant of God as someone who will not cry out or raise His voice in the streets - this is a picture of meekness - His humble obedience.
What it means and implies is - Jesus would not advertise Himself in the streets - He would not be like a showman raising His voice to advertise His cause.
There would be no political demonstrations or marches - no crowds chanting slogans - that would not be Jesus’ way.
That doesn't mean that Jesus doesn't say things in a loud voice in the open air for all to hear. There was that day in Jerusalem when He saw the people so thirsty for God and the leaders were unable to satisfy them - and with a loud voice He said - If any man is thirsty let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in Me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water shall flow from within.
Jesus speaks with a loud clear voice - but so that others can be fortified and strengthened and watered and refreshed - never for His own cause or to maintain His own rights. He allowed men to arrest Him and crucify Him – as He committed everything to God His Father.
“Loving Father, help us to see the truth Isaiah is writing about in these prophetic verses – and when we realise how true it all is, enable us to bow and worship with thanks and praise. Let these words ring deeply within us – hear us dear God for we pray in Jesus’ name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.