Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations. (NIV)
Isaiah 42:1
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9 and Matthew 3:13-17
There are four Messianic passages in Isaiah that highlight the Messiah as a “Servant of Yahweh.” These four passages are called Servant of Yahweh Songs or simply Servant Songs. These “songs” are found in:
- Isaiah 42:1-9
- Isaiah 49:1-6
- Isaiah 50:1-9
- Isaiah 52:13-53:12
As we continue diving into this first Servant Song, keep in mind that each “song” has a different theme. The theme of this first song is that the Servant was sent on a mission from Yahweh. And unlike the Blues Brothers, this mission from God would literally save the world.
God tells Isaiah that He will put His Spirit on the Messiah. He will be set apart and given the power of God for this mission. The fulfillment of this verse by Jesus can be found in the scene at the Jordan River before Jesus begins his ministry:
“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’” (Matt 3:16-17).
God audibly told those in attendance that day that He has fulfilled Isaiah 42:1. God put His Spirit on Jesus and He is delighted by His chosen one. But we also have a subtle hint at the Trinity all visibly present at this movement. God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit are all here for this event. God is sending Jesus on this most important mission, Jesus is accepting the mission and the Holy Spirit is providing the power to accomplish it.
The mission is simple – “bring justice to the nations” (vs 1). While this Hebrew word mišpāṭ for “justice” could be interpreted as justice in the sense of “judgment,” I don’t think that is the message of this verse. Jesus isn’t coming to make right all the wrongs of the world. Although this will happen when he comes back again, this wasn’t his first mission. His first mission was to bring justice in the sense of a “prescription.”
Just like a doctor gives us a prescription to heal us of our sickness, Jesus was bringing the nations a prescription to heal us of sin. Jesus was on a mission to deliver his message of love. When Jesus was asked what was the most important commandment of God, he responded with:
“‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these’” (Mark 12:29-31).
In the same breath, Jesus defined his mission and also gave his followers the same mission. We are also called to spread this message to the nations. It was Jesus final words to his followers in giving the Great Commission:
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matt 28:18-20).
We are on a mission from God. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are to deliver all nations the prescription Jesus gave us to save the world from the power of sin. Who will you give it to today?
Christ in the Old Testament 
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