Isaiah, Part 20
The Messiah’s Purpose, Suffering, and Mission
Isaiah 49:1-7 and Isaiah 50:4-11
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you are here today
- Last week, we expounded on God’s understanding of the problem idolators have
-- We were encouraged to lean into Him because of what is coming (judgment)
-- Judgement as a product of His righteousness; not because He’s angry with us
-- He desired us to be like Him, to be with Him; created us for this reason
-- He demonstrated being ready and able to save Israel from destruction
-- US: He is ready to save us from our sinful ways (through Jesus’ resurrection)
- Today, LOTS TO UNPACK: the charge (responsibilities) of God’s Messiah
-- Want us to see something right off – but is often missed by casual readers
-- This is not only Isaiah – rather – this is the Messiah, Jesus, speaking to him
-- Know this … Isaiah is having an encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ
- This is a prophetic look that shows the role of Messiah (ref to as “The Lord”)
-- He is shown as a servant (literal: slave) of God … which is key to understand
- Share some foundational wisdom to lead-up to this passage:
• God loves the world – every person has been created for a purpose
• That includes murderers, adulterers, oppressors, liars, thieves, immoral, etc.
• This scripture gives us a firm underpinning of this truth: wisdom to gain
• The Messiah’s purpose, suffering, and mission are what we see before us
- Read Isaiah 49:1-7 / PRAY
- God gives His Messiah a specific function through 7 simple assertions
-- We’ll break these up between points 1 & 2 to help our understanding of them
Point 1 – The Purpose of the Messiah
1. The Savior was called to do God’s will (v1)
- He was called specifically (by name) to obey God’s will; See: ref: “distant lands”
-- KNOW: What is the will of God? For His creation to be redeemed, to be His!
- But, because of our sin, b/c of our self-reliance, we could not redeem ourselves
-- Why? Because we’ve turned to the lies of the enemy (Garden: will you die?)
-- TRUTH in John 10:10, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” Jesus was to show God’s will!
2. The Savior was called to proclaim the Word of God (v2)
- From His first opportunity (seen at age 12 at temple) He taught with power
-- He used words of judgment, authority, and power to convey God’s truth
-- Luke 4:32, “… people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.”
-- How? By being empowered with God’s Spirit: wisdom, ability, understanding
-- KEY: We must also know that in Him is wisdom to be gained; to seek it!
3. The Savior was called to be God’s servant (v3)
- His example to God’s people was to show them HOW to live FOR God
-- RE: God’s people were chosen to do God’s will – to testify to His goodness
-- They were called as the chosen ones who could carry the message of hope!
- Why? Because of the promise He made by His name (Gen. 12, Ex. 20, etc.)
-- BIG: And it is through these people that God would bring His Messiah
4. The Savior was called to live a life of trusting in God (v4)
- The Messiah will be our example; He demonstrates that trusting God is possible
-- APP: He comes to set right what we did in our sin – to make a way for us
-- RE: Romans 5:19, “Because one-person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”
- TR: The four items are the foundational purpose which sets up …
Point 2 – The Suffering of the Messiah
5. The Messiah was called to redeem Israel to God (re-read v5)
- Here is the revelation of who we are hearing from: God’s servant (Messiah)
-- BIG: God was NOT born! But this ‘person’ was formed in his mother’s womb
-- “One who formed me …” is very clear; one person talking other did the forming
-- We know that Jesus was born, by Mary, and formed by power of Holy Spirit
- Luke 1:35, “The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”
-- He is without the sin of man on Him, having come only from God’s interaction
- Know this: Jesus is assuring Isaiah of the day to come for Him to be born
-- (~700 BC) While it has not happened yet … we are given this as a prophecy!
6. The Messiah was called to suffer – to be rejected by humanity (v6)
- God’s Messiah will be a light – a directional arrow – showing us the Way
-- How? John 1:6-8, “God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
- He is sent is to bring salvation TO humanity because we could not come to God
-- How? Through His sacrifice & obedience TO God: Philippians 2:8, “… he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
7. The Messiah was called to be a light to the Gentiles (v7)
- God’s promise is that kings and rulers will bow down before the Messiah
-- Because of His anointing and His position, He will be honored before the world
-- But we don’t see that during His life which is of great insight (hope) to us!
- God’s promise is that the Messiah will be honored, but he does NOT say WHEN!
-- APP: Remember, Jesus is rejected (also prophesied about) by humanity
-- He is not called the Son of God by the “creation”; eventually crucified by us
- YET! In His example, in His fulfillment of His work, is what brings us salvation
-- Acts 2:21, “… but everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
- We must see the example to follow: be willing to sacrifice, to be like Him, etc.
-- This is what allows us to show who we truly follow (see item #1, John 10:10)
- TR: Let’s read from chapter 50 and see the rest of His calling …
- Read Isaiah 50:4-11
Point 3 – The Mission of the Messiah
- KNOW: The Messiah’s mission was to share God’s Word with the weary (v4)
-- Who are the weary? Tired, unhappy, overworked, traumatized, oppressed, etc.
- APP: He was called to preach the message of hope that God has for us
-- Why? Because this is what we have in common – we were ALL lacking hope!
-- APP: We must stop dividing each other based on “sin groups”; see as God does
- Additionally, the Messiah’s mission was to suffer for the broken (vv6-9)
-- He was given to be the example of God’s calling; to show His love (exemplified)
-- But those who reject the light of the Savior (walk by their own way) will suffer!
-- This is the key component that we must know, comprehend, and faithful share
-- A day is coming when those who reject will answer for it – including ourselves
- Big question: Why is does this matter? Re-read verse 10-11
A. His mission requires a decision to be made by each person (v10)
- What decision? To trust in the Lord, to be faithful to Him, to walk in His ways
- This can only happen by receiving His Messiah – this is the NT application!
B. The person who walks in darkness cannot ever be rescued (v11)
- God is telling us that a way is coming that will allow us to be redeemed
- However, choosing to deny it (not choosing to accept) will lead us to destruction
BIG IDEA
- The person who is self-reliant – trust in own ability – will face God’s judgment!
-- Understand: This is the challenge of every person on the Earth (Gen 3 to Now)
-- We must either make a choice to receive the Lord or a choice to refuse Him
- How do we receive Him? We call on the name of the Lord Jesus to be saved!
-- But even this comes with a warning: Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. (watch) On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”
- Isaiah tells us of a time that is coming to receive what God offers – or decline it
- This is why the words of are so definitive / harsh; it IS either His way or not
- Where are you in this calling to receive and follow?
- Pray
