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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 – and we read of that In Isaiah Chapter 42..

We know who that servant was and is - Jesus Christ.

These passages may not be all that clear to begin with, but when we reach Chapters 52,53 it becomes most clear – it is Jesus Christ, the Son of God – our Saviour and Lord and King.

Isaiah sees Jesus Christ the Saviour being born into this world - and he sees something of what kind man he will be and what type of ministry he will have.

But did Isaiah know the significance of what he was preaching and writing?

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 - 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. The servant is concerned about responsibilities to his master – and for us that means Jesus Christ.

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 says - I am going to uphold My Servant.

Here begins Isaiah’s prophetic picture of the character of the servant who will come to serve and seek and save.

In Chapters 40,41, God’s servant, Israel, was described as being complaining, fearful, and dismayed. By the end of Chapter 42, God’s servant, Israel, is portrayed as being deaf, blind and sinful – verses 18,19, and 23,24. These are strong words – do read them – and be warned.

By contrast, the coming servant of Lord in Isaiah Chapter 42 neither falters, or is discouraged, but he delights in God, and is gentle, persevering and brings forth justice and faithfulness.

This coming servant is an ideal servant who embodies and embraces all that Israel failed to be. This is the background to Isaiah’s announcement.

This coming servant is not only someone to follow but he is someone who will rescue people.

This is much more than a word – important though that is – here is God sending a person – personal intervention – to seek and to save and to love and to forgive and to restore and repair what was marred and broken.

Even when Jesus was on the Cross being crucified - shedding His Blood to wash away our sin - God was upholding Him. Three days later God indicated and showed this 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 would be 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 – Jesus was anointed.

This same risen and living Jesus anoints and empowers his servant today so that they might serve – with all that is involved in serving.

“Almighty God – as I think of these words – and as I consider how Jesus came to serve – help me – help us – to serve – in a day when it is not popular to be a servant – and as servants, anoint and empower and equip us with all we require. We pray in Jesus Name. Amen.”

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

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