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JESUS THE SUFFERING SERVANT
LORD’S DAY, MAY 11
Matthew 12:15-21

Isaiah 42:1-4

 

“Behold my servant,

whom I have chosen…”

 

JESUS THE SUFFERING SERVANT
 
By this time, Jesus was well known not only in Galilee, but also Jerusalem/Judaea and Idumea in the South, in Transjordan which is East, and in the Northern cities of Tyre and Sidon. People came to Him from all over Palestine for spiritual and physical help. He served the people wholeheartedly.
 
Isaiah had already prophesied that the Messiah would come as a Servant (Isa 42:1-4, see also 49:1-9a, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12). Jesus was Jehovah’s suffering Servant. He suffered in His life and in His death. In His life, we see how He suffered bitter opposition from the Jewish religious and political leaders even after He performed good deeds and preached the good news. As God Himself, He could have destroyed all His enemies in righteous indignation if He had wanted to. But Jesus the Son of God was ever submissive to His Father to do His will on earth, to go through suffering and opposition, and to be obedient even unto death to save His people from their sins (cf. Gal 4:7-8).
 
Having suffered on earth, Jesus knows all our pains and struggles. Hebrews 5:8 to 9 says, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:14-16).
 
THOUGHT: Jesus cares!

PRAYER: Father, have compassion on me in my troubles and struggles.

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