Jesus our example of faithful service

Rev Charles Oppong-Poku | APRIL 18, 2023 | Matthew 12:14-18a

KEY VERSE:

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight." Matthew 12:18a (NIV)

MESSAGE:

We need to remember what is going on in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus has grown in fame and popularity. He has healed many. He has taught much and cast out demons. He is well-known and loved by many. However, Jesus has started to develop an edge to His teaching – He is confronting people head-on for hypocrisy, for not understanding the ways of God, and for not understanding His ministry.

In yesterday’s passage, we saw Jesus call out the Pharisees for not really understanding the law of God and He stood against their legalism and lack of love. As a result, the Pharisees started plotting against Jesus to kill Him. Jesus being aware of this did what many of us would do, He withdrew from the area. Even though Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, many people were still fascinated with Him and tried to partake of His miracles and great teaching.

One of the prophecies of Isaiah makes up the bulk of our passage today. Jesus had a mission and was part of a larger plan. He came to the earth as a human being who was the Servant of God. The prophecy from Isaiah 42:1-4 spoke to the fact that Jesus would be a servant of God. As is often the case, this prophecy spoke not just to one thing, but to two – Israel and Jesus. Whereas Israel failed as a faithful servant of God, Jesus the Messiah would succeed as God’s faithful servant. Jesus the Messiah was God’s beloved servant, who was chosen by God to bring justice to the nations and to proclaim the good news of salvation, who was loved by God, in whom God delighted, and on whom God’s Spirit would rest. Jesus was the ultimate and perfect servant of God. He was faithful, He was holy, He was completely committed, He was enabled by the Spirit, and He was laser-focused on the mission.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE

Have you grasped the gravity of this prophecy that Jesus is the faithful servant of God? God intervened in the world for you and for me, so that we might find hope in Jesus and His salvation. As followers of Jesus Christ, He sets us a perfect example of faithful service. Challenge yourself by considering the faithful servant of God. Think about Jesus and His work. Consider His obedience, his gentleness, His divinity and death, and determine how you will bring the hope of Jesus to your family, your friends, your coworkers and neighbours.

PRAYER:

Dear God, help me emulate Jesus as God’s faithful servant. Help me to be obedient to your will, to carry out your mission with faithfulness and humility. May I have a heart that seeks after you, and may your Holy Spirit guide me in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!