The prophet Isaiah used the phrase 'Servant of the Lord' in a specialised or messianic sense. The Servant of the Lord not only would encounter and accept suffering in the course of His work but He also would realise that His vicarious suffering would become the means by which He would give His life as a ransom for others. According to Isaiah's, the Servant of the Lord would bring forth justice to the Gentiles and establish justice in the earth. He would bring Jacob back to the Lord and would be a light to the Gentiles. He would not hide His face from shame and spitting. He would be the sin-bearing Servant, giving His life for the redemption of His people. - Is. 42:1,4; 49:5-6; 50:6 -
See, my servant will prosper,
he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights.
Hence I will grant whole hordes, for his tribute,
he shall divide the spoil with the mighty,
for surrendering himself to death
and letting himself be taken for a sinner,
while he was bearing the faults of many
and praying all the time for sinners. - Is. 52:1 to 53:12 -
In the New Testament writers are unanimous in stating that the Servant of the Lord is a messianic figure and that Jesus is that Servant. The first of Isaiah's 'Servant Songs' - Is. 42:1-4 - was quoted by apostle Matthew as being fulfilled in Jesus. - Matt. 12:18-21 - The violent treatment suffered by Jesus was precisely what the 'Servant Songs' of Isaiah prophesied about God's Servant. Jesus saw His role as that of a servant. He taught His followers, disciples, apostles and the chosen one to view His mission and theirs as well, in terms of servant-hood. Thus, the Servant of the Lord, spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, is preeminently Jesus Himself.
Yahweh has been pleased to crush him with suffering.
If he offers his life in atonement,
he shall see it heirs, he shall have a long life
and through him what Yahweh wishes will be done.
His soul's anguish over
he shall see the light and be content.
By his sufferings shall my servant justify many,
taking their faults on himself. - Is. 53:10-11 -
No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom to many. - Mark 10:43-45 -
The Book of Acts emphasized the suffering and hostility which the Messiah underwent to accomplish redemption. In these passages Jesus is referred to as 'His Servant Jesus' and 'Your holy Servant Jesus'.
You are Israelites and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate, after Pilate had decided to release him. It was for you in the first place that God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning everyone of you from your wicked ways. - Acts 3:13,26 -
This was what come true: in this very city Herod and Pontius Pilate made an alliance with the pagans nations and the peoples of Israel, against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed but only to bring about the very thing that you in your strength and your wisdom had predetermined should happen. And now, Lord, take note of their threats and help your servants to proclaim your message with all boldness by stretching out your hand to heal and to work miracles and marvels through the name of your holy servant Jesus'. As they prayed, the house where they were assembled rocked; they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God boldly. - Acts 4:27-31 -
Saint Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus who has been called to be an apostle - Rom. 1:1 - Saint Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ - 2Pet. 1:1 - Apostle James, servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ - James 1:1 - Apostle Jude, servant of Jesus Christ - Jude 1 - always practice precisely what they preach and preach what they practice. They are many other apostles, disciples and followers, indeed does the same; in words and in deeds. Amen!
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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