SF088 - GODS BELOVED SERVANT (Matthew 12 15-21)
Matthew 12:15-21
Introduction
Scripture ascribes many titles to Christ [Messiah], and none is more fitting or lovely than My Servant, a title first used by Isaiah (42:1). Just as the prophet predicted of the Messiah, Jesus came in wonder, beauty, and majesty as the divine Servant, serving the Father and serving mankind in the Father’s name.
This brief passage is an oasis of refreshing beauty in the desert of chapters 11 and 12—which chronicle the first major rejection of Christ, led by the scribes and Pharisees. After Jesus put them to shame by showing that their Sabbath traditions were hardhearted, illogical, and unscriptural, “the Pharisees went out, and counseled together against Him, as to how they might destroy Him” (12:14). Those ungodly leaders believed the very opposite of the truth about Jesus, even to the point of accusing Him of doing His work by the power of Satan.
In the midst of his account of that mounting antagonism, Matthew here presents seven of the outstanding characteristics of this Servant whom the world despises but God dearly loves.
Matthew 12:18-21 is a modified quotation of Isaiah 42:1-4 and is one of the most strikingly beautiful descriptions of Jesus Christ anywhere in Scripture. Here we see that Jesus conformed to God’s plan, was commended by the Father and commissioned by the Holy Spirit, that He was confident in His calling, and that He would complete the victory over sin and Satan.
1A. Jesus Conformed To God’s Plan (12:15-17; 18c)
1B. Jesus’ first priority was to fulfill God’s will. (12:15a, 17)
John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
2B. Jesus demonstrated His deity. (12:15b-16)
He demonstrated divine power by performing of miracles.
He demonstrated divine compassion.
Matthew 9:36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
He demonstrated divine grace.
James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
He exercised His divine authority. (12:16)
Ø Jesus commanded them not to tell others because it was yet time for Him to be exalted.
3B. Jesus proclaimed God’s message to all men. (12:18c)
God’s plan for redemption had always included the Gentiles, and to them the Messiah was to proclaim justice and deliverance from sin just as to the Jews.
2A. Jesus was Commended By The Father (12:18a)
1B. Jesus Christ is God’s perfect servant
Servant, (Pais) is not the usual word for “servant” and is often translated “son.” In secular Greek it was used of an especially intimate servant who was trusted and loved like a son.
I have chosen (hairetizoô) indicates a firm and determined decision and is used nowhere else in the New Testament. It was used in secular Greek of irrevocably adopting a child into the family as an heir who could never be disenfranchised.
2B. Jesus is the Father’s beloved.
Jesus is beloved by God
It is through the grace of God “which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved,” that “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses” (Ephesians 1:6-7).
Jesus pleased God in every way.
At Jesus’ baptism the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matt. 3:17), and at the transfiguration He declared again, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him” (17:5).
It is not possible for men to be well-pleasing to God
Ø Unless they come to Him through His Son, with whom He is well-pleased. (Romans 8:8-9).
3A. Jesus Was Commissioned By The Holy Spirit (12:18b)
1B. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to live a sinless life.
Jesus was fully human
Ø He was hungry and thirsty; He became tired and felt pain and sorrow; He was tempted.
He was absolutely sinless.
Hebrews 4:15 … One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
2B. The coming of the Spirit upon Jesus confirmed that He was the Messiah. (Luke 4:18-21)
4A. Jesus Was Confident In His Calling (12:19-20)
1B. His confidence is seen in the quietness of His approach (12:19)
To quarrel (Epizo) carries the idea of wrangling, hassling, or even brawling.
To cry out (Kraugazo) means to shout or scream excitedly.
2B. His confidence is seen in the quality of His appeal (12:20a)
He would not trample those who were weak and poor in spirit.
Ø The battered reed and the smoldering wick represent people whose lives are broken and worn out, ready to be discarded and replaced by the world.
5A. Jesus Will Complete The Victory (12:20b-21)
1B. The present victory of regeneration
Down in the human heart,
Crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried
That grace can restore,
Touched by a loving heart,
Wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken
Will vibrate once more. (“Rescue the Perishing,” Fanny J. Crosby)
2B. The continuing victory of sanctification
2 Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
3B. The ultimate victory of glorification
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
Matthew 12:15-21
1A. Jesus Conformed To God’s ________________ (12:15-17; 18c)
1B. Jesus’ first priority was to fulfill God’s _______________. (12:15a, 17; John 6:38)
2B. Jesus demonstrated His _______. (12:15b-16)
He demonstrated divine power by performing of miracles.
He demonstrated divine compassion. (Matthew 9:36)
He demonstrated divine ________. (James 1:17)
He exercised His divine authority. (12:16)
3B. Jesus proclaimed God’s _____________ to all men. (12:18c)
2A. Jesus was __________________ By The Father (12:18a)
1B. Jesus Christ is God’s perfect ______________
2B. Jesus is the Father’s ____________________.
Jesus is beloved by God
Jesus pleased God in every way.
It is not possible for men to be well-pleasing to God (Romans 8:8-9)
3A. Jesus Was Commissioned By The Holy Spirit (12:18b)
1B. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to live a ___________________ life.
Jesus was fully human
He was absolutely sinless. (Hebrews 4:15)
2B. The coming of the Spirit upon Jesus confirmed that He was the Messiah. (Luke 4:18-21)
4A. Jesus Was __________________________ In His Calling (12:19-20)
1B. His confidence is seen in the ______________ of His approach (12:19)
2B. His confidence is seen in the ______________ of His appeal (12:20a)
He would not trample those who were weak and poor in spirit.
5A. Jesus Will ___________________ The Victory (12:20b-21)
1B. The _______________ victory of regeneration
2B. The ______________ victory of sanctification (2 Peter 3:17-18)
3B. The ultimate victory of glorification (1 John 3:2)