Called To Be A Covenant People (2017)

Isaiah 42:1-9

1. "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. 2. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4. he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope." 5. This is what God the LORD says-- he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6. "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7. to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. 8. "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."

CALLED TO BE A COVENANT PEOPLE

Text: Isaiah 42:1-9

Today’s text comes from what many call one of the four Servant songs. The message seems to be about the nation of Israel at face value. However, the message can be applied to when Jesus came in the first advent. Jesus literally embodied what this text meant as a prophecy that was fulfilled through Him.

John’s Gospel mentions how Jesus was involved in the creation of the world in John 1:1-3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made” (ASV). Jesus is not only the Savior, but He demonstrated the example of humility in service (Philippians 2:6-8) that He wants all of those who follow Him to exemplify. Jesus wants us to be like Him by humbly emptying ourselves in service to others (Philippians 2:7). Jesus came to set people free from being slaves to sin.

THE SAVIOR’S EXAMPLE

How many of us lead by example? Jesus did and He calls us to do the same. We often think of role models as leaders.

1) Celebrity ideals?: There are many celebrities who are role models. How many of them are good models? How many of them pout when they do not get their way?

2) Secular righteousness: There are many who appeal to a secular version of righteousness. Which poses the question, what does real righteousness look like in God’s eyes? What would you call a secular version of righteousness?

3) Babylonian ideal: Would you call it Babylonian ideal being modeled in the same man- made way that the tower of Babylon was? Doesn’t God embody the answer to this question in Jesus Christ?

Why is this passage of scripture so important when it comes to the Baptism of the Lord Sunday?

1) Spotlight living: It is opposite to the way that the world lives! Religious or not, it is human nature in us all that seeks the approval or praise of others. The Pharisees were religious leaders, who like the praise of others.

2) Living humbly: Unlike the Pharisees, Jesus does not make a scene to call attention to Himself. This scripture tells us that the servant of this “Song” ----Jesus will avoid the things describes in verse 2 that would draw attention.

3) Messianic secret: Remember the story about when Jesus cleansed the leper and asked him to keep quiet (Mark 1:40 – 45)? This insistence of Jesus to keep silent is what scholars call the "Messianic secret" wherein Jesus wanted to keep his identity concealed enough so that he could preach the word in as many places as possible. Jesus could not have done what God sent Him to do by drawing attention to Himself.

What was the example Jesus was supposed to set? Jesus came to help the weak, lame bruised, the least, the lost, the last. Verse 4 hints at the fact that Jesus would not lose strength until He had accomplished His mission!: “He shall not fail nor be discouraged until He has set judgment in the earth; and the coasts shall wait for His Law” (MKJV). A smoldering wick is symbolic of someone who is losing heart (Albert Barnes).