Who Is This?
Opening Prayer
Jesus, as You walked the earth, You revealed the Father’s heart. I want You to reveal Yourself to the world through me.
Read Matthew 12:15-21
[15] Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. [16] He warned them not to tell others about him. [17] This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: [18] “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. [19] He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. [20] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. [21] In his name the nations will put their hope.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What elements characterized Jesus' ministry?A visitor to Britain once asked, “Who is the Queen, and what does she actually do?” To many, a reigning monarch can be something of a puzzle, not easily appreciated! The same can be true of Jesus–for some, it’s hard to know just who he is and what he really does. But we get a snapshot here. The Pharisees had had enough; the death of Jesus was now being plotted. So Jesus strategically went on somewhere else, where he was followed by those wanting more of his power, more of his healing. And what he was doing and saying–the breaking of stereotypical religious practices, the healing of the sick, the reaching out to the less fortunate (18-21)–is summed up in some words taken from Isaiah 42:1-4. They are a dramatic interpretation of someone who is loved and chosen by God the Father, someone who is both gentle and authoritative, someone whose name is the hope of the nations. Reading through the description of Jesus gives us a picture of him as he was described hundreds of years before he lived on earth. How accurate do you think it is? Which phrase appeals most to you?
Apply
Spend some time reading through each phrase in verses 18 to 21. Pause to reflect on each description of Jesus.
Closing prayer
Precious Lord, help me to stand for justice as You stood and to do so with a humble and gentle spirit. Thank You.
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