Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Oct 7 2019 - Isaiah 42:1-17 – The Servant of the Lord

Isaiah 42:1-4 is the first of the four "Servant Songs" found in these chapters of Isaiah (see also 49:1-6; 50:4-9 and 52:13-53:12). Isaiah speaks of "the servant of the Lord" throughout chapters 40-55. Often it is a title used of God's people as a whole (e.g. 41:8-9, and in verse 19 in this chapter as well as elsewhere). But at times the servant is a specific person from within Israel, distinct from the rest of the nation and called to act on God's behalf for the salvation of Israel and of the wider world. This mysterious figure finds its fulfilment in the Lord Jesus who is a descendent of David according to the flesh but also the living God, come to save his people. He both identifies with and represents God's people while also acting for their salvation.

Jesus is the Servant of the Lord, the one in whom God delights (Matthew 3:17; 17:5 etc.). He was filled with and empowered by the Spirit of God for his servant work (Matthew 3:16 etc.). In the context of nations in turmoil, he is the hope of the world; the only hope for the establishment of a truly just world. But unlike Cyrus, whose ruthless power would overthrow that of Babylon, the Lord's Servant would be marked by a quiet and gentle Spirit. The lovely description of the Servant, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out" (along with the previous verses), is quoted of Jesus in Matthew 12:15-21 in the context of his ministry to the crowds who followed him and his healing of the sick. In his tender compassion for the weak and the despised of society Jesus displays the heart of God for he acts as the Servant of the Lord.

The Servant's ministry will not be for the blessing of Israel alone, he will be a light to the Gentiles – he will open eyes of the blind, free captives from prison and release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness (v.7). He will be the foundation for a covenant of grace between the living God and all the peoples of the world.

In the light of these things, the ends of the earth are called to sing a new song of praise to the Lord (v. 10). God is marching out to save his people and lead them home in triumph (v.13). He will not allow any difficulties to obstruct their return (v. 15), but will lead his people by the hand and will "turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth" (v.16). No idol-god could do such things for those who trust in them (v. 17).

We also are called to sing a new song of praise to God for the blessings of our salvation freely given us through the Lord's Suffering Servant. More than that, he not only identifies with us in our sin and need and acts to save us, he also makes us his disciples and calls us to join his mission towards a lost world. The Servant of the Lord is called to be a light to the Gentiles and bring God's salvation to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6), but in Acts 13:46-48, Paul quotes these words in connection with his own ministry and his decision to leave the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch to focus on preaching the good news of Jesus to the Gentiles. Paul understood Christ's mission to bring salvation to the ends of the earth had become his mission; Christ was continuing his mission in him and through him. This is precisely what Jesus had said to his disciples when he, the Light of the world (John 8:12), told them that they also were to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

This is our mission also. We are those who have seen "the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). We are now called to bring this same light to those in the darkness that comes from knowing nothing of the glory of God's grace and goodness.

Father God, give us a fresh vision of your saving purposes in the Lord Jesus – purposes of love that have embraced us and would embrace the whole world. Fill us with songs of praise to you and a burning desire to make Christ known. By your Spirit, continue your work in us and work through us for the extension of your kingdom and the glory of your name. As you would permit no obstacle to prevent your salvation of us, so may we refuse to be deterred by the obstacles that we face in bringing the light of your salvation to those in darkness. Shine Jesus shine.

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Oct 7 2020 - Hebrews 3:1-19 – Encourage one another daily

God does not intend us to follow Christ alone. We are not on a solitary pilgrimage but a shared journey and we need to encourage one another along the way.

The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers of the way in which most of those whom Moses led out of Egypt failed to enter the Promised Land. Think for a moment of their history and you will see how they often discouraged one another. The majority of the spies who came back from looking at the Promised Land said that it would be impossible for the Israelites to take possession of it. Soon they were all pleading to return to Egypt. We too know how easily we become discouraged and how quickly we can discourage others.

This history is recalled in Psalm 95 with the exhortation, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness" (Hebrews 3:7-8 / Psalm 95:7-8). God's people are called to live in the "Today" of faithful discipleship, remembering the "Yesterday" of God's saving activity and pressing on towards the "Forever" that marks the goal of their journey.

This letter was written to Jewish Christians who are facing persecution and who are tempted to turn back from following Christ. The letter is written to remind them of all that they possess in Christ and to encourage them to hold on firmly to the confidence and hope in which they have come to glory (v. 6) – to hold on to the very end (v. 14). And to do this, it is vital that they go on listening to the voice of God "Today" and to respond afresh to his calling with faith and with hope day-by-day.

We also live in the "Today" of our journey, remembering the "Yesterday" of Christ's saving work and pressing on to the "Forever" of glory. We need to encourage one another along the way; to help one another to hear afresh the call of God, spurring one another along in following him. We need also to be careful to keep ourselves from discouraging our brothers and sisters. But above all, we need to remember that Jesus, our faithful Saviour is the same "Yesterday, today and forever" – he is the author and finisher of our faith. We need the encouragement of one another, but above all we need the presence and strength of the Saviour who has gone this way before us and who now accompanies us on our journey. Moses never made it into the Promised Land, but Jesus has entered glory for us and he is with us to bring us safe home. We need to “fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest” (3:1), and we need to listen to his voice today.

And having listened and responded, we need to encourage one another daily – encourage one another today – by speaking to each other of Christ. Who are you going to encourage today and how are you going to encourage them to go on following Christ with confidence and joy?

Father God, for the sake of your dear Son who gave himself for me, forgive me I pray for the many times I have rebelled against you. Forgive me for the many times my words or actions have discouraged another of your dear children. Soften my heart, Lord; give me a listening ear and a ready response. Keep me from hardening my heart and turning a deaf ear to your call. By the presence and power of your Spirit, Help me today to encourage those around me to love the Lord Jesus and walk with him to glory. May nothing I say or do place a stumbling block in the path of those who would follow you.

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Peter Misselbrook