Jesus the Messiah is the One who brings justice to the nations. “Here is my servant…I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1-9)
Sermon Outline
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1)
The Servant of the LORD (Isaiah 42:1)
- The chosen people as a servant who falters with their calling
- The ideal servant who will do what the chosen people could not
What the Servant Will Not Do: The Character of the Servant of the LORD (Isaiah 42:2-3a)
- No shouting
- No breaking
- No snuffing out
What the Servant Will Do: The Work of the Servant of the LORD (Isaiah 42:3b-4)
- Bringing justice
- Proclaiming truth
Who the Servant Reaches: The International Scope of the Servant of the LORD (Isaiah 42:5-9)
- A covenant for the people
- A light for the nations
- Opening eyes
- Freeing captives
- Declaring new things
God’s Justice in Jesus the Messiah
- Jesus is the One fulfills the calling of the Servant of the LORD (Luke 4:16-21)
- Jesus is the One who does what the Servant of the LORD does (Matthew 12:15-21)
- Jesus is the One who reaches the nations as the Servant of the LORD (Matthew 28:18-20)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What is your greatest longing in life?
- This week we continue our preaching series, “Who Is He?: Titles of Jesus the Messiah from Isaiah,” by exploring Isaiah 42:1-9. Whether on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through this study and then read that text aloud.
- Background: At this point, it was the temptation of the people in exile to fall into worship of idols. In Isaiah 41, God makes a case against the idols, pointing out their worthlessness. Read through Isaiah 41:21-29. There is a cascading contrast through the Hebrew word for ‘see’ that recurs (though not in all English translations) in 41:24 (‘see, you are less than nothing…’), 41:29 (‘see, they are all false!), and 42:1 (‘see, my servant, whom I uphold…’). Consider: what Isaiah is trying to say about idols in contrast to God and His servant?
- The first half of this passage (Isaiah 42:1-4) focuses on the Servant of God. Notice what the servant is like, what he will not do, and what he will do. What is striking about the Servant of God in light of the previous question?
- The second half of this passage (42:5-9) shows forth God’s affirmation of His servant, with strong statements about God’s power and character. Read through these verses and identify God’s actions in these verses.
- While Isaiah’s words address the people of God in exile in Babylon, it is important to notice the scope of God’s plans. Reread verses 4-6 and comment on who will benefit from God’s plans.
- What would you say is God’s overriding concern in this passage?
- There is a tension in Isaiah’s references to the Servant of God between the servant representing God’s people of Israel and an individual Messiah. Isaiah 42:1-9 seems to be depicting one figure. As Christians, we see Jesus as the fulfillment of these words. Read Matthew 3:13-17 and 12:12-18 in light of Isaiah 42:1-9. How does Jesus fulfill the character and calling of the Servant of God?
- What is one thing God speaking to you personally through this study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and then pray about what you shared. If you are on your own, write it down, pray about it, and share this with someone this week.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Isaiah 42:1-4 or simply 42:1.
- Take some time to meditate on Isaiah 42:1-7 this week. Perhaps you might want to draw, paint, letter, or sketch aspects of these verses to help you. Write your own prayer back to God as part of your reflection. Share this with a friend.
- Isaiah 42 is quoted in Matthew 12:15-21. Read that passage and reflect on what it means that Jesus fulfills the promise of Isaiah 42. Why did Matthew think that? How have you seen Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises?
- Listen to “O Come, All You Unfaithful”