Christ in the Old Testament

Isaiah 42:4

He will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
    In his teaching the islands will put their hope. (NIV)

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9 and John 12:20-36

When we read the concluding sentence of Isaiah’s opening stanza, many of us are transported to an image of an exotic vacation. A trip to the islands for us today is filled with beaches, sunny skies, warm weather and island music. An oasis away from the daily grind of life awaits us on the islands.

In Isaiah’s day, this probably isn’t the mental picture his audience calls to mind when they read about the islands. More likely, the islands to them represented distant places fraught with danger. A place filled with Gentiles who lived primitive lives with limited resources.

Paul would voyage to many islands on his missionary quest to reach the Gentiles. He visited Cyprus, Crete and Malta as he traveled the Mediterranean Sea. More recent stories of the missions of the Church have recorded Christians visiting distant islands such as Iona in the United Kingdom, Tahiti in French Polynesia and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.

The Hebrew word used for island in Isaiah is ’î. It can mean “islands, coastlands, or distant shores.” The term extends the kingdom of Jesus beyond Israel’s borders to the most remote places on the planet. It signals the universal reach of Jesus’ message and points to a future time when even these places will put their hope in Christ. The very word ’î becomes shorthand for Gentile inclusion into the kingdom of God.

Jesus mandated his followers to take his message to all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to follow Jesus (Matt 28:19-20). There’s an interesting passage in John that demonstrates Jesus’ inclusion of the Gentiles in his kingdom that is often overlooked.

It was the time of the Passover festival. Jesus had just ridden the colt into Jerusalem with all the fanfare of the people waving palm branches and proclaiming Jesus to be the king of Israel. Jesus was stepping out into the open and drawing a lot of attention. There was a particular group of people who wanted an audience with Jesus.

“There were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus’” (John 12:20-21). Philip told Andrew and they both took these Greeks to Jesus. Jesus then told his disciples along with these Greeks this message:

“Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me’” (John 12:23-26).

At this point, God speaks to them audibly affirming Jesus’ message from heaven and everyone heard it.

“Jesus said, ‘This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself’” (John 12:30-32).

This entire passage was the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:4. Or at least the commandment to fulfill Isaiah 42:4. Even God blessed this message audibly as if to make sure the disciples didn’t doubt this was also God’s will. “All people” will be drawn to Jesus when he is resurrected. The message of hope and the offer of salvation will extend to all the earth. Even the islands will put their hope in Jesus.

The fact that the Greeks were present for this event is not a coincidence. The analogy Jesus draws to a kernel of wheat brings forth images that even the Greeks would be familiar with from some of their rituals to pagan Gods. Jesus came to save the world and he would leave it to us to spread his message to most remote of places – even the islands.

Today’s Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be on mission today. I may not be on an island but help me to be bold to serve you today in the presence of those around me.