Servant-Son

Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased (Matthew 12:18).

This quote is from Isaiah 42:1-4. It is a striking prophecy that reveals so much about God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It’s what I love so much about the Old Testament. The unvarnished truth about the Godhead is so clear and precise. I don’t understand why so many Christians ignore reading or studying it.

750 years or so before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah painted this brief portrait of the Messiah. The word translated ‘servant’ (pais) is not the usual word used for servant in Scripture (doulos). In many places this word pais is translated ‘son’. It carries the idea of one who is so loved and trusted by his master that he is thought of as a son rather than a servant. Conversely it carries the idea of one who so loves his father that he is willing to serve his father like a servant does his master.

Jesus Christ was, and is God’s beloved Son. His love for the Father compelled Him to serve the Father all the days of His life here by obeying and fulfilling God’s will perfectly. Since all things have been committed to Him by the Father (Matthew 11:27), this Servant-Son continues to work the Father’s will throughout the entire universe and will continue to do so until all of the enemies of God have been vanquished (1 Corinthians 15:22-26).

We don’t often think of Jesus as ‘servant’, but throughout the New Testament this role of the Savior is clearly taught; Jesus Himself affirming it. (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45) . . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Acts 3:13,26) The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him . . . For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways. (Philippians 2:7) . . . but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. Our relationship to the Father is to be like that of His Son, Jesus; we are to be servant-sons and servant-daughters. Our lives are to be spent doing the will of God (Matthew 7:21). Our greatest joy ought to stem from the desire to be and to do all that God desires in us. As difficult as ministry is at times, there has been no greater joy in my life than to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my life.

“Thank You, Lord, for the honor and privilege to be called into Your service and to serve You by serving others. It has given me a joy beyond words. I pray my service has brought You joy as well. To Your honor and glory I pray, Amen.”

Pastor