Homiletic Review Isaiah 42:1-17 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit on him… I. OUR LORD'S CHARACTER AS PORTRAYED IN PROPHECY. 1. That our Lord should come as a servant (ver. 1). (1) This was His own testimony when He came (Matthew 20:28; John 6:38). (2) This is the testimony of the apostles (Philippians 2:6-8). 2. That our Lord was Divinely chosen for His work. "Mine elect" (1 Peter 2:6, 7). 3. That our Lord should be endowed with the Holy Spirit. "I have put My Spirit upon Him" (Matthew 3:16, 17; Luke 4:14, 18, 19; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 1:9). 4. That our Lord would institute a religion for the Gentiles (ver. 1). Such is the force of the word "judgment." 5. That His Spirit would be most tender and gentle (vers. 2, 3). (1) This, surely, is a correct description of the historic Christ. His own testimony (Matthew 11:29). The testimony of His apostles (Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 12:2, 3; 1 Peter 2:21-24). (2) In this He gave His disciples an example. 6. That His courage would be equal to His gentleness (ver. 4). (1) It is not the noisy and boastful that are the most courageous and reliable. (2) The deeper our conviction of the truthfulness of our cause the more patient and gentle may we be in its advocacy. (3) The commission of Christ to His disciples proves His entire confidence in the success of His cause. II. OUR LORD'S COMMISSION FORETOLD IN PROPHECY. 1. In its authority (vers. 5, 9). The authority is the highest in respect to power and principle. 2. In its purpose (ver. 7). (1) Our Lord appropriates the terms of this commission to Himself (Luke 4:17-19). (2) This is the commission He fulfilled in His life. III. BOTH THE CHARACTER AND COMMISSION OF CHRIST ARE JUST INCENTIVES TO THANKSGIVING TO GOD (ver. 10). 1. All should praise God. 2. To praise God for Christ intelligently we must personally experience His saving power.Lessons — 1. The study of prophecy is the imperative duty of every child of God. 2. The most inspiring portions of prophecy are those which centre in the person and work of our Lord Jesus. 3. No prophecy can be fully understood that is not interpreted in the light of Christ's work. "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 4. Christianity is a religion for the whole race (ver. 4). 5. The gentleness with which its advocates should be characterised and the beneficent designs of its mission must commend it, when rightly represented, to all nations, climes, and tongues. 6. Under no circumstances will our Lord justify His disciples in an advocacy of His Gospel in a spirit antagonistic to His own. 7. Let all disciples of Christ copy His life, spirit and love, and work for the gracious ends for which He lived and died! (Homiletic Review.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. |
    |