Isaiah’s Servant Passages
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1 (ESV)
The prophet Isaiah spoke many words of comfort to those with the threat of Judgment hanging over their heads. In chapters 40-55, ‘Saint Paul of the Old Testament’ speaks of God’s Chosen Servant, who comes to answer his people’s problems.
So, like John the Baptist standing on the bank of the Jordan River with a finger outstretched, the Prophet Isaiah gains our attention with the word ‘behold’ and points to the chosen servant of God, the Christ. The LORD God delights in Him. The LORD God has placed His Spirit upon Him. The LORD God has sent Him to bring justice to more than Israel. He brings it for all the nations.
The words that follow this initial description declare Him gentle and meek, faithful and focused. He will not quit until He has established justice on earth for sinners. We understand by faith who this Servant is – the Lord Jesus. In order that we may be completely certain, the Gospel writer, Matthew is directed to quote these words as fulfilled in Jesus (Matthew 12:16-21).
This Servant of God has completed the work He was sent to do. He declared as much triumphantly on Calvary: “It is Finished!” He has accomplished justice for you by bearing your sins and guilt Himself. He has done this for all the nations…but so many don’t know. God’s Servant has enlisted you to make known His salvation to the world. We simply point to him and say, “Look, God’s Servant!”
Tell me, ye who hear Him groaning, Was there ever grief like His?
Friends thro’ fear His cause disowning, Foes insulting His distress;
Many hands were raised to wound Him, None would interpose to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced Him Was the stroke that Justice gave.
The Lutheran Hymnal 153:2