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Word from Scotland

    by Sandy Shaw

The Emerging Portrait of the Person and Ministry of Jesus
Date Posted: March 2, 2020

In Isaiah Chapter 42, we are reading what has becoming known as the first of four ‘Servant Songs’ – or ‘Servant Poems’ – or ‘Songs of the suffering Servant’ – where God addresses Israel and introduces the nature and character of the servant. We are reading of the coming of Jesus Christ.

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 – no-one else can right the things that are wrong.

The law today can punish, but the law cannot transform the human heart.

Sin has robbed this world of so much, and has defaced man in all kinds of painful ways.

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 – these prophetic words point us to Jesus.

Jesus comes to put into effect all of God’s purposes.

He is gentle – he will not break the bruised reed – nor snuff out the smouldering wick – applied specifically to Jesus in Matthew Chapter 12.

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.

How then will he bring about this radical transformation – how will he do all this – by the very opposite of expected means and methods! There will be no publicity stunts – and he will not abandon his integrity.

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 Christ 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. John Chapter 7.

Jesus allowed men to arrest Him and crucify Him - committing everything to God His Father.

Isaiah sees that Jesus will be gentle when it is necessary to be gentle – not weak!

Remember this is being said to people who have been severely and sorely punished for their sins - because they would not listen - they would not repent - they would not pay attention to the prophets God sent them.

But when people do return to Him and humbly repent - He is lovingly gentle and graciously merciful.

When a person who is bruised and nearly broken, comes to Jesus – He will not break that person.

There are many bruised people around. We do not need to look far for them. We meet them every day. They are fragile – almost broken.

When faith is weak and almost on the point of disappearing - He will not snuff out the little bit of flickering that remains - He will fan it into a flame.

The lamp has almost gone out – not out – but almost. Jesus can re-light the flame that has almost gone out.

We are all damaged goods in some way – bruised reeds. Sometimes we think we are going to be snuffed out – but Jesus comes and cups his hand around the smouldering faith and blows it into flame again.

“Loving Father, we thank You and praise You for Jesus Christ – we thank You that we have such a loving and merciful and compassionate Saviour. Draw near to us now, and do that work which You alone can do. Amen”

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 24, 2010)

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Biography Information:

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.