God’s Servant
Matthew 12:15–21
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen. Matthew 12:18
Matthew sums up who Jesus was and indicates the nature of his ministry by quoting a well-known messianic passage from Isaiah (42:1–4; Matt. 12:18–21).
This is the longest quotation from the Old Testament in Matthew but it is not a word-for-word quotation. Rather it is an interpretation. The verses quoted contain four great predictions:
1. The Messiah will bring justice to the earth (v. 18).
2. The Messiah will not cry out like a demagogue but instead will go about his work quietly and humbly (v. 19).
3. The Messiah will not trample on the weak or those who are poor in spirit (v. 20).
4. The Messiah will bring salvation to the Gentiles (v. 21).
What an amazing set of predictions! Yet Jesus did precisely these things. His actions, however, did not fulfill the expectations of his day. The Jews of Christ’s day wanted a Messiah who would drive out the Romans and establish a revived Jewish state. The disciples themselves had such thoughts even after the resurrection (see Acts 1:6). Jesus went about his work quietly, teaching and at last dying for his people. The benefits of his atonement were offered to the Gentiles. As far as justice is concerned, this is something that is being proclaimed now through the church and will be realized perfectly in power when Jesus comes again.
D. A. Carson writes, “What is pictured is a ministry so gentle and compassionate that the weak are not trampled on and crushed till justice, the full righteousness of God, triumphs,” as it certainly will in the end.
If you are a Gentile, you have benefited from that prophesied messianic ministry. If you have been buffeted by life (“a bruised reed”) or if you are weak in faith (“a smoldering wick”), you are in a position to benefit also. Have you been buffeted? Is your faith weak? If so, be encouraged. Jesus did not come to snuff out anything that is weak but instead to fan the smoldering wick into a flame and to straighten and strengthen the bent rod. Aren’t you glad he did not come to execute justice at this time? That will happen. Justice will be done. Judgment is inevitable in a universe ruled by a just and holy God. But today is the day of God’s grace, and we live because Jesus is the Savior. He alone saves, strengthens, and keeps all who will repent and turn to him.
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.