My brother in law just got a new job with an international engineering company. I was asking what that is like, and seeing if he will have some travel options. My sister then said, “you also work for an international company”. And I was like, well... yeah... maybe, but I don’t think my work is going to post me overseas.
How do you relate the church with the nations? If you are part of a local church, do you consider yourself part of an international movement? What role do you even have to play in something so big and grand? We will be thinking about this as we think about this servant in today’s passage.
The book of Isaiah was written in a pretty key time in the life of Israel. In the first verse of the book of Isaiah we read
The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (Isaiah 1:1 NIV)Isaiah preached during the reigns of 4 kings of Judah. In fact Isaiah probably lived under the next king, Manasseh who put him to death. And during this time frame, Assyria came in from the North and conquered and scatted 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel. 10 of their 12 provinces or states were defeated and very nearly the remaining two tribes under King Hezekiah were going to be wiped out by King Sennacherib. Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem, but then he was distracted and had to return home. Even though the capital was nearly conquered, Isaiah kept warning his people that judgement was still going to come their way. There was a bigger super power afoot, Babylon would swallow Assyria and then they would take out the remaining two tribes of Israel.
Under all this, global instability, this war and judgement there have still been words of hope from the prophet Isaiah. In our series so far we have seen a promised child, a promised branch of David, a king we need to make way for and now we are looking at a promised servant. While judgement were coming to all sorts of people, God was still laying seeds of hope, recompense and restoration.
The servant and the Lord
And today this is the second of four servant passages in Isaiah. In this one, the servant speaks and we hear first hand what their mission and purpose is. The servant addressed not only Israel but the whole world. And when the servant speaks, they speak about the Lord. And they say what the Lord says is about the servant.
So there are two voices here, the servant and the Lord and they are both speaking about each other.
First we have the servant speaking.
Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations:The servant calls all the far off islands and distant nations to listen to Him. This is bold, who has the authority or the right to address all the nations? Who gives them that right and why should the nations listen to them?
Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. (Isaiah 49:1–2 NIV)
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin can’t address Australia and tell us what to do - they don’t have the right. Only Anthony Albanese or another member of parliament can address our nation with some level of authority. Everything else is just opinion.
This servant thinks they can address all the nations with power to influence across the globe. Who do they think they are? The servant goes on and give a little bit of their resume about their special position and why the world should listen. This servant has a special relationship with God. Before they were born they were called and named by God. Sort of like the prophet Jeremiah.
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4–5 NIV)Jeremiah was prepared beforehand to be a prophet to the nations. Likewise, God has prepared this servant, like sharping a sword to strike and polishing an arrow and placing it in a quiver ready to be used. The servant is fit for purpose and ready to speak with powerful words that will penetrate those who hear Him. While this call might be a little like Jeremiah, this servant has a bigger task. In verse 3
He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” (Isaiah 49:3 NIV)God calls this servant “Israel” with the goal to display God’s splendor. Calling this servant Israel has confused people a little. Is the servant really a metaphor for the nation of Israel? Probably not, as in verse 5 and 6 we see that this servant is to gather up the nation of Israel back to God. If the servant was a metaphor of Israel it doesn't make much sense to say Israel will gather Israel or that Israel will restore the tribes of Jacob. Sinful Israel was in need of help. They were not able to pull themselves up by their sandal straps.
This servant seems to be more about a person inparticular. This servant is to be the true representation of Israel in a unique person. The nation of Israel was meant to display God’s spender, way back with Abraham in Genesis, they were to be a blessing to all nations. But over time, Israel was not the shining example God wanted them to be. But this servant will be what Israel was meant to do, they will show God in all his splendor, they will be the an image of God.
And then after the servant hears what the Lords plans are, they reply saying something a little strange
But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all.The servant says they have worked hard but has nothing to show for it. They see that things don’t look like they are winning. But, they are not depressed about this, for they still have hope. They trust in the Lord, who will reward them. And in verse 5, they are honored and will rely on God’s strength to do this. They are to be God’s servant to restore Israel back to Himself, even if it may look bleak at times. They are going to go from suffering to triumph.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” (Isaiah 49:4 NIV)
God then says, that the plan to restore Israel is too small
he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.God’s plan for this servant isn’t just national, but international. God is going global with this servant. This servant is to be the light for the Gentiles. Not so they reach some intellectually enlightenment, but that they will know about God’s salvation. God wants all people, everywhere to know about his salvation.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
This is what the Lord says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers:
“Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” (Isaiah 49:6–7 NIV)
And this servant, will be the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel. They will be despised and rejected by the nations but this servant will eventually be worshiped by Kings and princes. This servant, God’s chosen one, is more than a prophet, they are God’s Holy One, who is above all the kings of the earth. This servant is a light to all the nations, who offerese salvation to the whole world.
Jesus is the Servant of the Lord
So I wonder, who could this servant be? It’s Jesus. Jesus is the servant of the Lord. The servant isn’t a personification of Israel, they are not Jeremiah even though a bit of their calling might sound the same, it’s not King Josiah who tried to restore proper worship of God, its not Cyrus the Great who is called God’s anointed because he allowed Israel to return. Jesus is the true Israel, a light to the nations and God’s true servant.Jesus is the true Israel.
Jesus is the true Israel, embodying Israel’s story in His life. Israel is called God’s “servant” and “son”, yet Israel failed in this mission. Like Israel, Jesus was called our of Egypt. After Jesus baptism, which may mirror Israel’s corssing of the Red Sea, Jesus spends 40 days in the wilderness being tested. Unlike the 40 years Israel spent in the wilderness, Jesus remained faithful to God, resisting temptation. Jesus started His own community by calling 12 key members to produce a new people, sort of like a new Israel with a new set of 12 tribes. Jesus changed Israels key festival of the Passover, which reminded them about God’s salvation, and made that event about Himself, reminding us all about God’s salvation.
Throughout Jesus’s life we see how He was the true Israel who succeeded where the nation had failed.
Jesus is the light to the nations.
Jesus is also the light to the nations. When Jesus was born and presented in the temple Simon saidFor my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30–32 NIV)John’s Gospel opens with
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5 NIV)John saw that Jesus was the light and then later Jesus explicitly says
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV)From Jesus’ birth, to those who saw Jesus, to Jesus Himself, they all said that Jesus was the light of the world, who offered life.
In A.D. 274 emperor Aurelian chose December 25 as “the birthday of the unconquered sun.” He saw that just after the sun reaches it lowest point (the winter solstics is around the 21-22nd of December) it sun started to rise again. Over time, Christians turned this dark day into their own holy day. In 336 AD, the first Christian Christmas celebrations is recorded under Constantine. The church had decided, that all believers should celebrate the birthday of the Lord Jesus, the Son of righteousness on December 25, on this darkest day. The unconquered Son of God, comes to use when it darkest, who is the light of the world come (Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (2715 Son-Light))
Jesus is the true servant.
Not only is Jesus the true Israel, and the light to the nations he also is the true Servant. Jesus said:For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38 NIV)and
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NIV)The night Jesus was killed he washes his disciples feet, like what a servant would do.
Paul says in Philippians 2 that Jesus didn’t used his position to be used for his own personal gain, but
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.Jesus’ ministry to the Roman world looked like a failure. They had captured, tortured and killed the leader of this minor breakaway Jewish religion.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:7–8 NIV)
Before Jesus was going to be killed, He knew it was going to be hard, his strength will be spent and it will look like a failure. But in the garden when Jesus was wrestling with all this, He submitted himself to God and said, “not my will but yours”. He obeyed He did what He said he came to do, and so Jesus has the name above all names.
We are Servants of the Servant of the Lord
So today, we know that not everyone is in the light. All peoples, all nations still don’t see the light that is for them. Jesus is now the resurrected risen Lord ruling over everything and everyone, but not all know that Jesus is Lord. Kings are not worshiping Jesus.
So what is happening now? What are we to do? We are servants of the servant of the Lord. A servant does what their master or ruler tells them. Jesus obeyed the Father, and we are to obey Jesus.
The message of Jesus is still true today, so people need to hear it still, and Jesus wants us to make disciples of all nations.
If you are not a believer, if you don’t think Jesus is Lord, and you wonder if you are welcome here in this church, know that you are, for you are part of the nations, and we want to tell you about the light. And if for some reason you are here and believe that you are better than others because of what you know, or because of where you come from, know that you are no better. We don’t priorities certain backgrounds here. All peoples from all nations are welcome here, for everyone is part of the same human race, no one has some fast track to God.
In our second reading, Paul and Barnabas preached the message of Jesus to Jews in the synagogue, but they were met with hostility. They then said after that rejection that they will turn to the Gentiles, they said:
For this is what the Lord has commanded us:Paul and Barnabas take the lines about this servant of the Lord and turn them into a command for themselves. Are they allowed to do that? If Jesus is the true Israel, the light to the nations, how can Paul and Barnabas say this is what they are commanded to do?
“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Acts 13:47 NIV)
Well, in the sermon on the mount Jesus says
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14–16 NIV)Jesus wants his followers to also let their light shine. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, we are also to reflect the son - Jesus. Our light is one that in involves action and deeds, so that others can worship God. As light spreads outwards, pushing back the darkness, so does the church. We are not to keep to ourselves. We are part of an international organisation.
I don’t know how true this story is but
There was a small church affiliated with an exclusive “splinter” denomination. The members had cut out some gold letters and fastened them on the wall in front of the church. The letters said: “JESUS ONLY.”Our church is to be for Jesus. Our goal is not to make St Matt’s name great, but to make Jesus’ name great. It can be a real tension for me. St Matt’s carries a lot of clout in Canberra Christian circles, but we are not the end goal. Salvation under Jesus across the world is our end goal.
One day a gust of wind blew away the first three letters. The sign then read, more accurately: “US ONLY.” (1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Church, Separation In))
Paul and Timothy said their message was
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:5–6 NIV)We are to display God to others. Our message comes from a transformed heart so we can display Christ to the nations. It doesn’t come out of pride, or thinking for some reason we are better than others. The foot of the cross is level for everyone, which means everyone from all nations can come to Jesus.
Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean we are all to be foreign missionaries. If we all go, then who will stay?
In some seminary chapel in America Dr. Carver, introduced the speaker Dr. Everett Gill, [Sr]. He had just retired after thirty-five years as a missionary in Europe. Dr. Carver introduced Gill as a foreign missionary, he replied, “The only foreign missionary was Jesus Christ who was sent from heaven to earth. I am simply a missionary in Europe, even as you [young men] are missionaries wherever you serve in the United States.” (My Favorite Illustrations (All on Mission)We are all somewhere in some nation, and so where we are, there are people in darkness who need to know about the light.
So how are you being a light to the nations? To those around you? As a servant of the servant of the Lord, are you pointing people to Him, pointing those who are in darkness to the light?
You have been chosen before the foundations of the earth and are invited to the ends of the earth to make disciples of all nations. God has promised to be with us, and even if sometimes it feels in vain, even if it feels like you have spent your strength on God’s mission for nothing, know that your reward is not in your achievements, but is with God, Himself.
And in the last days, when all is said and done, we will see what God has been doing throughout all time for all peoples. All nations will bow down, to the servant who was despised by the nations. The Holy One of Israel, the light of the world, Jesus, who we point to, will be worshiped. May you know how you are part of God’s plan for all nations; as we start 2025 may we the same vision that John had at the end of the Bible:
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9–10 NIV)
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