Matthew 12:15-21, God's Chosen Servant

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Comments

Jesus tactically withdrew because the Pharisees were out to destroy him. But that did not stop his ministry that appears to increase in its popularity.

Matthew applies the portrait of the Servant in Isaiah to Jesus. He is the gentle, suffering servant whose mission is to bring justice to the nations as the fulfilment of the nation of Israel.

Prayer

O God, whose Son Jesus Christ cared for the welfare of everyone and went about doing good; grant us the imagination and perseverance to create in this country and throughout the world a just and loving society for the human family; and make us agents of your compassion to the suffering, the persecuted, and the oppressed, through the Spirit of your Son, who shared the suffering of humanity, our pattern and our redeemer, Jesus Christ.

(Source unknown)