Day 9 – Came for all people.
There are four servant songs in the book of Isaiah, which describe the coming Messiah as a servant, a savior, one who will suffer, and one who will be exalted. All four of the servant songs can be found in Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-13, 50:4-11 and 52:13-53:12. In the second servant song, Isaiah gives us a glimpse of God’s purpose from the beginning to the end. Jesus was with God from the beginning and came to earth as a man to serve, suffer, and offer salvation through his death.
God’s message is this: salvation for all people, made possible through his servant, Jesus.
The song of the servant, the Messiah.
Isaiah 49:1-6
Coastlands, listen to me;
distant peoples, pay attention. (for all people)
The Lord called me before I was born. (Jesus was with God from the beginning)
He named me while I was in my mother’s womb. (Immanuel)
He made my words like a sharp sword;
He hid me in the shadow of His hand. (not to be revealed until the right time)
He made me like a sharpened arrow;
He hid me in His quiver.
He said to me, “You are My Servant, Israel;
I will be glorified in him.” (Jesus will come through Israel)
But I myself said: I have labored in vain, (Jesus will suffer)
I have spent my strength for nothing and futility; (Jesus will be rejected by some)
yet my vindication is with the Lord,
and my reward is with my God.
And now, says the Lord,
who formed me from the womb to be His Servant, (virgin Mary)
to bring Jacob back to Him (God’s purpose is to restore His people to Him)
so that Israel might be gathered to Him;
for I am honored in the sight of the Lord,
and my God is my strength—
He says,
“It is not enough for you to be My Servant
raising up the tribes of Jacob (in the Tribulation, the 12 tribes will be witnesses)
and restoring the protected ones of Israel.
I will also make you a light for the nations,
to be My salvation to the ends of the earth.” (through Jesus, salvation is for all)
Years later, the Apostle Paul wrote these beautiful words in the first chapter of his letter to the Colossians:
“We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in our Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
It is a simple but powerful message to all, from the Creator.
May you seek the God of Israel, the God of salvation, your Creator, this Christmas season.
* Merry Christmas *
A Christmas Story Devotional: 31 Days of the Christmas Story from Genesis to John
Follow along for the 31 days of December and experience a new and exciting appreciation for the ancient Christmas story we celebrate today. The story of Jesus and the meaning behind the celebration of Christmas is woven throughout the entire Bible – from the beginning of mankind in Genesis to the resurrection of Jesus as told by the apostle John some 4000 years later.
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