God's Son Was A Servant

Context: Babylon was to fall. Soon, Israel's captivity was to end. Soon, those who chose to return to their homeland could. God's purpose would be achieved in Israel by Israel functioning as a gentle servant.

Often Old Testament prophecies served a double purpose. In this prophecy, God could speak of the servant nation (Israel) and of the servant Christ (Jesus) in the same prophecy. Read Matthew 12:15-21.

In this lesson, we want to understand God's plan and intentions for the Christ.

1. "Behold, My _____________, whom I ____________" (verse 1).

2. "My __________ one in whom My ____________ delights" (verse 1).

3. What was put upon him (verse 1)?

4. How would this benefit the nations (verse 1)?

5. What will he not do (verse 2)?

6. What will not be heard in the street (verse 2)?

7. What will he not break (verse 3)?

8. What will he not extinguish (verse 3)?

9. What will he bring (verse 3)?

10. He will not be what (verse 4)?

1. In this context, placing "my Spirit" upon him likely refers to receiving power from God.
2. In this context, bring justice to the nations likely refers to revealing God's true religion to the nations. Both in Israel and in Christ, the nations would see a dramatic contrast between the pagan gods and the living Creator God.
3. God's "chosen one" would be a servant. He would not be a threat to people. He would not overpower the nations. He would not terrorize and conquer.
4. In contrast, he would be an unassuming servant who would not break a useless bent reed or put out the glowing ember in a "blown out" wick. Note the servant would be harmless and non-threatening.
5. Though he was given the seemingly impossible task of changing the nations by working as a harmless servant, he would be neither disheartened nor crushed.

Read each of the following scriptures about Jesus' life. State how each scripture illustrates a point made in Isaiah 42.

1. Matthew 3:13-17

2. Matthew 17:1-5

3. Matthew 4:23-25

4. Luke 7:36-50

5. John 4

6. Matthew 8:1-4

7. Matthew 26:62-68

1. Contrast a servant with the following roles.
   • A servant and a rich man
   • A servant and a powerful man
   • A servant and a scholar of great reputation
   • A servant and a military officer
   • A servant and a king
   • A servant and a world emperor

2. If you had the responsibility to change the world through the work and efforts of a single person, would you choose and use a servant? Explain your answer.
   
   

The Creator God looked at His creation and said that it was very good (Genesis 1:31). Evil corrupted, distorted, and ruined God's good creation (Romans 8:19-23). God executed His plan (Romans 5:6-11). (1) He sent His Son to live a human life in a wicked world and complex age. (2) He sacrificed His Son for our sins on the cross. (3) He raised His Son from the dead. (4) He made His Son Lord and Christ.

Satan changed the world through evil. God changed the world through Jesus. The all powerful God who created all things, who could do anything He wanted to do in any way He wished to do it, sent Jesus to be a servant. God gave the world a Savior by sending a servant. The eternal God accomplishes His purposes through servants.

Link to Teacher's Guide Quarter 1, Lesson 1

Copyright © 1999, 2000
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ

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