The Servant and the bruised reed

Isaiah 42:1-4
- We are building up toward the end of this series dealing with a particular Individual known to us as the Servant of the Lord.
- paid less and less attention to the Israel and it's need for reformation and more and more to this particular Individual.
- this Servant will fulfil the covenant obligation of Israel and save His people.
- focus on His pastoral heart and power which is like no other's - passion for the weak and down-trodden, broken and needy
- this is the Lord we are told to behold - both gentle and lowly and almighty in power; both Wonderful Counsellor and Mighty God
I. The identity of the servant (v.1)
- who is this Servant of the Lord?
There are some who understand this servant as the nation Israel.
However, this Servant is clearly put forward as an individual, a Messiah that was to come, who will:
*bring forth justice to the nations,
*not grow faint and be discouraged,
*have no deceit found in His mouth,
*find the bruised reeds and not break them
- this Servant is unlike the idols which we are not encouraged to behold or if we should, we should behold with indignation.
- we behold this Servant because the Father beholds Him.
II. The authority of the servant (v.2)
- when a king would conquer a city, he would impose new rules or religion. The servants of this king will go out and cry aloud the news. However, this new King will not to come and raise His voice in the streets.
- there will be no show of forced authority that comes through active promotion but authority that will come through quiet effective word.
- people will notice a characteristic which cannot be replicated by any other human voice, because in Him is the very voice of God.
III. The tenderness of the servant
- one of the most pastoral verses in the whole of the Old Testament
- He speaks with tenderness and love to these "bruised and broken reeds".
- if there is even a tiny flame in each of us, Christ will not put it out - this ought to be of tremendous encouragement to us.
- He comes to shield us and fan the fire in us.
IV. The strength of the servant
- Because Christ is not bruised and faint that He is able to strengthen those who are bruised and faintly burning.
- the danger of compassionate people is that they lack power and competency. However, Christ has both compassion and power to help.
- He is our perfect Saviour.
Behold our Christ!