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by Sandy Shaw
At this time of year many turn to the book of the prophecy of Isaiah Turn to Isaiah Chapter 42and verses 1to 10 .
We have what has been called the ‘Servant Songs’ and some regard these next four weeks as the season of advent – purely an idea of man – but useful. Advent means ‘coming’ and we recall the coming of Jesus Christ the Son of God. – not forgetting the crucified and risen and ascended Jesus is coming again.
Isaiah knows that the people of God, Israel, will be taken off as exiles and prisoners in Babylon – and that last some 70 years – a long time to be imprisoned – out of your homeland – exiled – all because your sin and disobedience and rebellion.
Isaiah also knows that Israel would return one day.
Not only does Isaiah see the people of God coming back from imprisonment and 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 of 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 – 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. God 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 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 showed that to the disciples when Jesus was raised from the dead.
He is my chosen one in whom 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.
“Loving Father – thank You for revealing all this to Isaiah – thank You that all this came true – thank You for sending Jesus to be a servant – our Saviour and Lord and King coming as a Servant. Help us as we preach and teach and witness and testify, and share what You have given us to share – all in the power of the Holy Spirit. 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.
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