Scripture

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1

Reflections

The book of Isaiah speaks of a “servant”.  The identity of that servant is widely debated.

We read that when the servant arrives, so do justice, light, and freedom.  The Lord God gives this servant “as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” (Is. 42:6-7)  The servant is a focal point of what God promises to do in this world, completely overhauling our world, reversing the irreversible.

This was originally the calling of the people of Israel.  God set them apart to be a “light to the nations”, an example to the rest of the world as to how to live.  Sadly, as we know of the Old Testament, the people fell short in that calling.  Then Jesus came and was baptized by John in the river Jordan.  Jesus was the embodiment of this servant.  He took the role of a servant, washing his disciples’ feet.  He fulfilled the prophecy of the suffering servant of Isaiah 53.  And now the Spirit continues this work through his people.  God equips his adopted sons and daughters to be his servants.

God’s presence in the world is the hope of the world.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for coming as the model servant through Jesus.  Help me, as I have been baptized into Jesus, to follow in the way of Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9