December 27, 2021 – Isaiah 42:1-4 & Matthew 12:15-21

Isaiah foresaw not only the person of Messiah but the manner and scope of his ministry. The servant of the Lord, upon whom the Spirit rested, would be gentle toward his people in bringing justice to them: “He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out” (Isaiah 42:3). His ministry will extend to all the earth as “the coastlands wait for his law” (Isaiah 42:4).

Matthew is clear in that this prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in the ministry of Jesus. Matthew quotes the entirety of Isaiah 42:1-4 and observes that in Jesus the nations will put their hope (Matthew 12:15-21). To those who receive his gospel, this Savior is gentle and brings not a burden but joy. His yoke is not heavy but light. Furthermore, this good news is, first, for the Jews and, then, for all the nations. As Paul declared, regarding the gospel, “it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Charles Spurgeon observed, “Our Lord has come to save His elect, and He will save every one of them. No soul for whom He stood as surety and substitute shall ever be cast away. The sheep shall pass again under the hand of Him that counts them, and they shall all be there.”

Jesus shall reign wherever the sun

Does his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretches from shore to shore,

Till moons shall wax and wane no more. -- Isaac Watts (1719)