Ep. 163. Isaiah 42-43 | Behold My Servant

EPISODE 163

BEHOLD MY SERVANT: ISAIAH 42-43

We too often forget that Jesus came as a servant to God. Jesus, the exact imprint of God's glory, the fullness of his power, one with him in Spirit and grace, that same Jesus, submitted himself to the Father as a servant. He did this as an example to us that we, too, would submit ourselves to the Father in all things. "Have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus... who became obedient to the point of death on a cross."

On the last night of the life of Christ, he washed the feet of the disciples, telling them to go and do likewise. People have taken that to mean we should wash one another's feet and have entirely missed the point. Jesus told them, "A servant is not greater than his master." Jesus was exampling servanthood to the Apostles and, by extension, to us. Jesus was a servant, so we would be servants to those around us. Jesus, the creator and sustainer of all life, humbled himself and took the form of a servant. By this obedience he brought about salvation for all who would believe.

Jesus, the chosen servant, has glorified the Father and shown us how we can do the same.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 12:18-21; Isaiah 61:1-3; Exodus 14, John 1:1-3; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-3; Philippians 2:5-11