Matthew 12:15-21 - The Servant iof Yahweh

Here we see Jesus being portrayed as one who certainly knew His mission. Despite the huge demands made on Him, quietly and unyieldingly, He worked on. He healed the sick and restored them to health. He cast out demons from those who were troubled by these evil spirits. Bear in mind that the crowd kept coming. He must have felt the pressure from every which direction. Many of His followers didn’t even understand what He was doing and where He was heading to. People sought Him out for healing, for deliverance, and answer for every conceivable need in life. Meanwhile opposition towards Him was rising. Religious leaders felt outpaced by Him, were scheming to destroy Him. In order for His work to continue, He even had to warn some about broadcasting who He was. Aware of His ultimate outcome, yet the Lord plodded on and on.

So as Matthew looked back at all that Jesus did, he remembered the words of Isaiah, the famous prophet, concerning the Lord’s servant. Quoting Isaiah 42, Matthew inferred that the Lord Jesus was indeed that servant of Yahweh. The one whom God Himself had chosen and was well pleased. He was that coming Messiah, the King. Who would have thought He would do the work the way He did it? Many thought He would come with His might fighting, threatening and driving the foreign forces out and establishing the Kingdom forcefully. Yet this Messiah came bringing the blessings and justice of God to Israel, and then the world in the gentlest of ways. Those who were bruised in life and tottering in life’s uncertainty, He gave hope. He went about restoring the hope wherever the need was, not by making a huge commotion, but by gently touching each one with God’s healing love. He introduced and invited people into the Kingdom with His healing love, and graciously touched everyone, both from Israel and also the world, with God’s mercy and compassion.

Through pastors and people called into the church, He is still doing what He did then, bringing hope and justice to whatever situation people may be stuck in. Some may be like a reed that is bruised and bent by the hardship of life, He will not disappoint. Others may be like candles with flickering flames about to go off, He will not put them out. He will lead His people into justice and bring them the victory with the great hope He came to bring!  In Him we are indeed blessed!