Theme: God’s servants are the Light
Text: Isaiah 42:1-9
Greetings: You are the servants of God. You are the Light to the world.
The Lord is good and his love endures forever. We began this year with the first order and command of God, ‘Let there be Light’. We have meditated about the Gospel Light, God is light, and Let your light shine. Today, I would like to share with you that we are God’s servants and we are the light to the World.
At the outset, let me explain who is a servant of God. Then I will do the expository of today’s passage divided into three subdivisions, such as Isaiah 42:1-4, 5-7, and 8-9. The servants of God are expected to establish justice on earth, bring new life to the world, and establish the glorious state of God.
Servants of God
The Hebrew word ‘tamak’ refers to the English word ‘Servant.’ Tamak means to grasp; to hold; or to support. Yahweh holds his servant in an affectionate embrace, supports him, and gives him what he needs to succeed in his Godly endeavors. Servants act on behalf and not on their own. The servant is not limited to human means to accomplish the mission to which Yahweh has called him. Yahweh has invested him with Yahweh’s ruah. Ruah is a creative and energizing spirit (Psalm 104:30). The servant is a God-inspired, God-directed, and God-empowered person. God delights in such his servant.
1. Servants of God to establish Justice (Isaiah 42:1-4)
Observe the Text:
God has chosen us to be his sons and daughters. He has chosen us to be proudly known as his children. He is delighted in us and has put his spirit upon us. Servants are suffering servants but joyfully accepted tribulations and problems. Their strength is in Christ. Jesus is another symbol of justice. He never bruises the reeds. He never smolders the wick. He will bring forth justice to the needy. He will establish justice on earth. The coming of Christ and the entry of the gospel of Christ will bring hope to the nations and islands.
Homily
The servants of God are God’s gift to the world. The servants are God’s covenant and light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). This servant is chosen by God and a source of delight for God. God will place God’s spirit upon this servant. So, that this servant is able to bring forth justice to the nations. Servants of God are God’s earthly representatives, God’s chosen ones, as workers of justice in the world. Through reading Isaiah 49:3, we understand that the servant is none other than Israel.
Christians have typically seen accepted the servant in Jesus. Because of his life, ministry, death, and resurrection, it was well-established and preached for generations. Jews have understandably gravitated or settled toward the communal interpretation and viewed the nation Israel as a servant to the world, a light to other people. So, it is no more an individual but the community. As churches, not just as individuals, we are God’s servants to the world (refer: Tyler Mayfield, Working Preacher).
Most of the time, we define justice in a narrow, wrapped up in our own feelings, thoughts, perspectives, and opinions. Our approach to justice is to benefit us in some way or the other and is self-serving. We want justice based on what we think is good. However, our ever-changing definitions of a good lead to corrupt or incomplete justice. Human justice itself is unjust.
To bring justice means bringing people into the right relationship with Yahweh and with each other, and these right relationships produce righteous lives. The right behavior is a natural outgrown of the right relationship with God, who is the ultimate righteous one. Justice means just behavior which requires witnesses to be honest and impartial (Exodus 23:1-3, 6-8), and special consideration for widows, orphans, and other vulnerable people (Deuteronomy 24:17), doing justice is a basic duty of any faith community (Micah 6:8).
The “bruised reed” and the “dimly burning wick” are metaphors for people who are vulnerable. Yahweh repeats it again and again so that we cannot miss its importance. Justice is the servant’s mission—and we can assume that it is the mission of every servant of God—every disciple of Jesus. (Refer: RICHARD NIELL DONOVAN, sermon writer).
2. Servants of God bring New Life (Isaiah 42:5-7)
Observe the Text:
God created the heavens and the earth. he brought living things, plants, and planets. His mighty arms and acts had done greater things for the universe. On daily basis, God gives breath to the people and provides to all those who walk on the earth. We exist, and we breathe all because of the acts of God. The Lord God holds our right hands and leads. He made a covenant with all of us. He makes us a light to the Gentiles. God’s servants bring life to the gentiles, and to fellow believers. The servants of God are expected to bring life-changing experiences to the hearers, congregations, and listeners. New life comes through miracles and wonders. The new life comes through release and freedom.
Homily:
Isaiah has four passages of the servant songs namely, Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-6; Isaiah 50:4-9; Isaiah 52:13-53:12.
- The first song (42:1-4) expresses the call of the Servant to bring justice to the nations.
- The second song (49:1-6) defines the Servant’s mission to raise up the tribes of Jacob, restore Israel, and be a light to the nations, and salvation to the end of the earth.
- The third song (50:4-9) describes the work and firm faith of the Servant. God has given his Servant a tongue to teach and encourage the people (50:4). God has given him an ear to hear God and to hear the people (50:5).
- The fourth song (52:13—53:12) shows the picture of a Servant who suffers on behalf of the people to redeem them from their sins and their suffering (Refer: RICHARD NIELL DONOVAN, sermon writer).
Yahweh promises to make the servant “a covenant for the people”, and a light to the nations. The servant thus becomes an instrument through which Yahweh dispenses his grace. God has not created us to be blind but to see. He has not created us to live in darkness but in light. He has not created us to live in captivity but in freedom.
The Hebrew word mishpat refers to a positive sense of God’s ‘law and order.’ It is a peaceful and whole life in relationship with God, with others, and with all creation. The mission of Jesus is to restore Shalom to the whole world so that everything that was made wrong by sin would be put right by his sacrifice (refer: Stan Mast, Center for Excellence in Preaching). It is the new life promised in Christ. It is not the new life for the Nation Israel, it is not the new life for the Christian countries, it is not the new life for the believers but for everyone on the earth.
3. Servants of God must establish glorious state of God (Isaiah 42:8-9)
Observe the Text:
God never shares his glory with anyone. He is God and Almighty. Whatever he announced had come into reality. Whatever he prophesied would come true. Servants of God play a vital role to bring glory to God through their life and ministry.
Homily:
Hopelessness is a reality for much of our world. Just look around everywhere we hear the news of unrest, disease, depression, and despair. The verb translated “spring forth” is the kind of “springing” associated with plants sprouting from the ground or flowers springing forth from branches. God would set his springtime to all those who listen to his voice, listen to the voice of the servants of God.
God is in God’s business, God’s Glory, and God’s mission. That mission began with Jesus Christ and we are called and chosen to aid him in that mission. When we become followers of Jesus, our affections should change. Our hearts should change and we should be in our father’s business.
Father’s Business is Salvation, Redemption, Justice, Love, and establishing His Kingdom on earth and on every heart. When Jesus came, he inaugurated his New Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of the Father. He tirelessly worked to bring back the glory of the Lord.
‘The work of redemption brings back man to God. Christ is the light of the world, and he opens our understanding and sets us at liberty from the bondage of sin. When non-believers are brought into the church, God is glorified in them and by them. Let us give to God those things which are his, taking heed that we do not serve the creature more than the Creator.’ (Matthew Henry).
The name plays an important role. Everyone is happy if our names are properly pronounced, called out, and written without spelling mistakes. The name Yahweh is a unique revelation. That is the name that He has chosen by which to distinguish himself from all idols, and which he regards as appropriately expressive of his existence and perfections. So, men should not cherish other opinions, not maintain other doctrines, not indulge in other feelings, that would be derogatory to the honor of his name. (Benson).
Conclusion:
You are the servant of God. Let there be joy, justice and peace. May the good Lord use you mightily in his kingdom.
