JESUS: THE SERVANT GOD DELIGHTS IN

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen one in whom I delight.”

Isaiah 42:1a

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Several days ago, the scriptures told us that we were servants chosen by the Lord to do His work while carrying out His will and way. All of us are chosen and called however not everyone will answer.

I say this because the only way we can truly be considered servants by definition (that is, servants who make God’s work their own) is by deciding to follow the only perfect servant who ever lived, God’s only Son and our Savior Jesus.

Look at the root of what Jesus stood for and you will always find servitude as He lived to be about His Father’s business, even as early as 12 years of age (Luke 2:41-49 NKJV). As He entered His adult ministry years, Jesus was never too busy to heal, love, teach, rebuke, resurrect, and save others. It was never about Him but what God sent Him to do equipped with His power.

As we look at the opening half verse from Isaiah, Chapter 42, we see prophetic words about the coming Messiah Jesus, words that would be echoed during Jesus’ life and ministry work. Look again at what God said about His coming Son:

“Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen one in whom I delight.” Isaiah 42:1a

Note here that God could have used any number of words to identify Jesus but the primary one selected was servant for although Jesus was God’s one and only Son, He was chosen and purposed to serve and the works that Jesus would carry out would be His Father’s delight. This would be validated in the Gospel of Matthew on two separate occasions as we find God voicing His favor in His servant Son:

As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. Matthew 17:1-8

Friends, we should long to hear these words ourselves, to hear God, our Father, voice His pleasure over our obedient service unto Him and others. The good news is that we can find ourselves there for Jesus has already set down a path for us to walk, a narrow, righteous path that He has already trod upon, a path that He is willing to lead us on if we would just choose to surrender our lives in service just as He did when He surrendered His life for us.

For to be a servant God delights in, one have to serve as Jesus did, selflessly and sacrificially. It’s really as simple as that.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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