December 18
“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My chosen one in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice,
Nor make His voice heard in the street.
3 “A bruised reed He will not break
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 “He will not be disheartened or crushed
Until He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”
5 Thus says God the Lord,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread out the earth and its offspring,
Who gives breath to the people on it
And spirit to those who walk in it,
6 “I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness,
I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You,
And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the nations,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the dungeon
And those who dwell in darkness from the prison. (Isaiah 42:1-7)
The “Servant” in this passage is a clear reference to Jesus. He is the Messiah, the Servant who gives us life, and He is also the Servant who gives us a pattern by which to live. Our Lord, who astoundingly serves us, has also called us to serve Him and to serve others by following His example. We must care for justice as He cares for justice. We must live in righteousness and call others to righteousness, just as He does. We must be a light to those in darkness, just as He is the Light. As our Light, Jesus guides us out of the darkness of sin and selfishness. As our Light, Jesus leads us in the paths of righteousness. Ultimately, as the “Light to the nations,” Jesus delivers hope and a future to people of every nation by making a way for us to be saved through His sacrifice.
Jesus brought light to our darkness when He stepped into our darkness, lowered Himself into the hopelessness of our human condition, and lit our way to freedom.
- What is one area in your life that needs more light?
- What sort of comfort do you have in knowing there is no darkness at all in Jesus, and nothing is beyond the reach of Christ?