Thoughts for the Day

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.’

Thoughts

Here we see the way that the Pharisees step-up their campaign against Jesus, but even when he leaves the area the people follow him and he continues to heal them. Matthew links this to a prophecy from Isaiah. We looked at this prophecy (made centuries before) in 'Servant Song: 1', but now we see that Matthew has made the comparison with Jesus. Can we agree with his comparison?

• God's Servant is concerned with justice: Jesus will not allow the Pharisees to get away with imposing their restrictions upon the people, and constantly challenges their view of what God wants.
• God's Servant forwards God's work gently, but persistently: Jesus constantly reminds the people that they should love God and their neighbour, and he offers forgiveness to those who repent.
• God's Servant patiently teaches the people about God: In Parables like the Lost Sheep and the Lost Son, Jesus reminds them that God is like a Good Shepherd who seeks out the lost.
• God's Servant is concerned with caring for the needy: Jesus cares for Gentiles, eats meals with the outcast, and heals the sick.

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.

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