Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction. (1-4)
This messianic prophecy is one of my favorite passages in Scripture. It points forward to the very character, nature, and ministry of Jesus that would come over 700 years later. Space prevents me from including other familiar verses from this same chapter like the Messiah coming to “open the eyes of the blind” and “set the captives free.” Jesus later refers to this very passage of Scripture when He reveals the nature of His calling and ministry to His hometown of Nazareth. It was so offensive to them, that they nearly threw Him off of a cliff for His supposed blasphemy. They had no idea who was standing before them.
What is so striking to me is the very nature of this Messiah who Isaiah says will bring salvation and justice to all the nations. Justice seems to be the latest buzzword today, but the world’s version of justice and its method of seeking is quite different from Jesus. Isaiah says, “He will not shout or raise his voice in public.” I think that most true attempts at justice are drowned out by the shouts of various camps that never listen to each other. Jesus never needed to shout. He spoke as one with authority and the gravity and power of His words were enough to make people listen. Jesus believed that a word fitly spoken accomplished the glory of God much better than an insult shouted across an angry mob.
Jesus also cared more for people than for politics. He saw them as individuals and refused to “crush the weakest reed or put out the flickering candle” of someone’s heart. He rarely addressed “issues” but He always engaged “people,” especially those who were the most vulnerable. He wanted justice for all and He died to give it to us. This meant bringing justice by satisfying the wrath of God because of our sin, as well as bringing justice to individuals by providing the means of their freedom on the cross. Unlike many who desire “justice” today, Jesus never lost heart or gave up until it prevailed throughout the earth. Even those in distant lands (like America) have been set free because He never faltered or lost heart. Now we must follow Him and proclaim the gospel with the very same level of commitment.
