Thoughts for the Day

God’s Chosen Servant

But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Jesus, how to destroy him.

When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

‘Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,
my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not wrangle or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
He will not break a bruised reed
or quench a smouldering wick
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In today's passage of scripture we see the way that the Pharisees are stepping-up their campaign against Jesus, but the people follow him and he continues to heal and teach them. Matthew links today's words about Jesus' work to a prophecy from Isaiah (made 800 years before Jesus) in hist first 'Servant Song (Isaiah 42.1-9). If we compare Isaiah's prophecy of God's servant with Jesus' actions we can see that Matthew has made the same comparison - Jesus is God's Servant - he is the Messiah:

• God's Servant cares about justice: Jesus challenges the Pharisees for imposing such harsh restrictions upon the people, while ignoring what God really wants.
• God's Servant forwards God's work gently, but persistently: Jesus reminds the people to love God and their neighbour, offering healing to those who repent.
• God's Servant patiently teaches the people about God: In Parables like the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and Lost Son (Luke 15.1-24), Jesus reminds them that God is a God who seeks out the lost.
• God's Servant cares for the needy: Jesus cares for outcasts, for Gentiles, and for the poor.

Matthew sees Jesus as the Messiah, the one whom God has sent to rescue His people and bring them back to Himself. Jesus continues to serve us today, through His love and His intercession for each one of us. We need to trust in the Holy Spirit to help us when we turn to Him.

Lord Jesus,
as Matthew recognised You as the Messiah
and wanted to spread the Good News
of God's Servant through his Gospel,
may we be certain that You
are our Saviour,
and come to You in confidence
knowing that You always have our
well-being at heart.
Amen.