“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved who pleases me…He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally, he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Matthew 12:18-21 NLT
When the Pharisees called a meeting to plot Jesus’ death, He didn’t fight with them. Instead, He simply continued healing the sick. That’s when Matthew quoted these verses, saying Jesus’ actions “…fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Him.”
When God said, “Look at my Servant…who pleases Me,” He evidently wanted us to notice Jesus’ actions! Instead of fighting to defend Himself, Jesus defended the helpless. Instead of exploiting the pain of those crushed by life, Jesus healed their wounds. Instead of snuffing out their last flicker of hope, Jesus gave New Life.
Isaiah prophesied, “His name will be the hope of all the world.” However, what if that means not only His NAME, but also the people who bear His name? And if bearing His name means displaying His likeness, I wonder what kind of hope my words and actions are demonstrating to my world.
Do I even notice the broken people around me—or am so focused on defending MY rights and MY character that I don’t hear the pain of others? And what about those crushed by the consequences of their choices—do I lay more burdens on them by judging and criticizing? And what does my life demonstrate to the hopeless—pessimism or peace?
YOUR name is the hope of all the world…
So Father, please help me represent YOUR name well!
