Beholding Jesus
Read Isaiah 42:1-9
1. The Servant is Jesus (verse 1)
See also Matthew 12:15-21, Philippians 2:6-11
Robert Murray M’Cheyne: “For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely. Such infinite majesty, and yet such meekness and grace, and all for sinners, even the chief! Live much in the smiles of God. Bask in his beams. Feel his all-seeing eye settled on you in love, and repose in his almighty arms… Let your soul be filled with a heart-ravishing sense of the sweetness and excellency of Christ and all that is in Him. Let the Holy Spirit fill every chamber of your heart; and so there will be no room for folly, or the world, or Satan, or the flesh.”
Passages about Jesus to consider memorising: Lamentations 3:22-23
Colossians 1:15-20
Philippians 2:6-11
Isaiah 53
Psalm 23
2. The Servant is loved by God (verse 1)
See also Matthew 3:17, John 10:17
3. The Servant is filled with the Holy Spirit (verse 1)
See also Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:14, 18
4. The Servant brings justice (verses 1, 3, 4)
See also Revelation 21:5
5. The Servant is not like us (verses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
See also Psalm 103:13-18
6. The servant is humble and gentle (verses 2-4)
See also Matthew 11:29
7. The Servant is the new covenant (verse 6)
See also Luke 22:20
Questions:
Split into seven groups (if possible!) with each group taking one of the points about the Servant and come up with answers to the following questions:
- How can this point help prepare our hearts to celebrate Easter?
- How does this point help me to worship Jesus?
- How would I explain this point to a non-Christian?
- What should we do in response to this aspect of the Servant’s nature?