Matthew 12:17-18…….Working

Matthew 12:17-18…….Working

12:17 This (Jesus’ humble withdrawal and call for secrecy.-{V. 16}) was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: (First of Four “Suffering Servant Songs” found in the book of Isaiah, Prophesized 700 years earlier.) 18 “Here is my servant (Son. Jesus) whom I (God) have chosen, (appointed in the work of Salvation.) the one I love, (Expresses God’s beloved Son. Declaration fulfilled at Jesus’ baptism.-{Matt. 3:17}) in whom I delight (God gives His stamp of approval in Jesus’ obedience in bearing the sins of the world. Declaration fulfilled at Jesus’ baptism.) I will put my Spirit (Holy Spirit) on him, (For fitting and anointing Jesus’ for His earthly ministry. Fulfilled at Jesus’ baptism.) and he will proclaim justice (judgment-K.J.V.-2920-Opinion or decision, to take a wrong and make it right. Not as in restitution or fairness. But more of acquittal and pardon.) to the nations. (Expresses Jesus’ work in satisfying God’s justice in paying the penalty for sin by living a perfect sinless and obedient life..) {Is. 42:1 LXX}

Continued From Book

“Displays Jesus’ work in carrying out God’s plan of Salvation and Redemption by dying on the Cross for sinners .” ⇒  Jesus now intercedes on our behalf. When God looks at us He no longer sees us a sinners who deserve His Judgment and wrath. But He now sees Jesus righteousness and atoning sacrifice having cleansed us by His blood in dying on the cross for our sins. We are no longer guilty before God because Jesus choose to stand guilty on our behalf.

“Teaches how the prophecies and promises concerning Christ are trustworthy and true.” ⇒ Did you know that there are at least 300 prophecies concerning Jesus in the Old Testament. How He was born, where He would live, miracles He would perform, etc. There are at least 48 Messianic prophecies that specifically speak about His life.  Statistically speaking, for Jesus to fulfill even eight, that would be the same probability of having two feet of silver dollars covering the state of Texas, marking one, and then randomly selecting that silver dollar. There is no chance that Jesus would have fulfilled the 300 prophecies unless God orchestrated it. God did. Jesus was more than a man, a teacher, and a miracle worker. He was the answer to what God had predicted hundreds of years before. He was the Messiah mentioned in Isaiah.

“Calls for living a life that God would be pleased and proud about. (Are you honoring and glorifying God with your life?.” ⇒ Are you serving God with undiluted devotion in bringing Him pleasure. Please forgive me when I get caught up in things that are not healthy for me spiritually and not helpful for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please bless me with the wisdom to know what is best to do to honor you today and each day of the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

“Calls for going out in the power of the Holy Spirit and not in our own strength. (God who calls equips).” ⇒ If God needed to put His Spirit on Jesus in order for Jesus to be successful. What does it say about us and our need to ask God for the Holy Spirit’s help in our own work and ministry. Or do you think you can do it by your own power and strength. But if you will submit yourself to God’s Spirit, the same Spirit that led Jesus and empowered Jesus to be who He was and do what He did. The Spirit is going to lead you to do the same thing.

“Encourages those who long for justice will get their day. (God will right all wrongs.).” ⇒ Just recently there was a sentencing verdict in the Parkland High School shooting trial. The parents were outraged because they did not feel like they received justice. The defendant only received a life sentence for murdering 17 kids. Even if they were able to get the sentence they wanted, they still would not have a full sense of justice being delivered for the horror of what that shooter did. Who remembers the O.J. trial. The jury found O.J. Simpson not guilty for the double murder of his ex-wife and her friend Ronald Goldman. Because of that verdict the families of Nichol Simpson and Ronald Goldman were denied justice. But we can take heart knowing that we will see that justice one day when Jesus sentences such people to hell.

Additional Notes & Applications

This quote from Isaiah by Matthew is the longest quote from a single Old Testament passage in all of the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s quote is a little different from the way this passage reads in Isaiah. It may have been a loose quotation—influenced somewhat by the Greek translation of Matthew’s day; or it may have been that the Holy Spirit led Matthew to quote it in such a way as to stress the prophetic significance of it.

The context in Isaiah’s prophecy is the first section often called the Suffering Servant Songs (Isa. chaps. 40–52). The identity of the Servant is perplexing, because it vacillates between the nation of Israel as the Servant (41:8–10; 44:1–3, 21; 45:4 [49:3?]) and an individual who leads the nation (42:1–4; 49:5–7). That individual emerges as the Servant Messiah who has a ministry and mission both to Israel and the nations.The second part of the “Suffering Servant song” (not quoted by Matthew) describes the Messiah’s mission and divine credentials in binging Salvation first to Israel then to the world (Is. 49:1-13) The third part of the “Suffering Servant Song” (not quoted by Matthew) describes the Messiah’s divine wisdom, obedience in suffering and His vindication by God-(Is. 50:4-10) The fourth and final part of the “Suffering Servant Song” (not quoted by Matthew) describes the Messiah’s exaltation, rejection, sacrificial death & resurrection-(Is. 52:13-15, 53:1-12)

Some modern critics accuse Matthew of misusing Scripture, since the servant of Lord was clearly Israel (Isaiah 41:8-9; 42:19; 44:1, 21; 45:4; 48:20; 49:3-5). Those critics don’t understand how Jesus fulfilled Israel’s role, on their behalf as the Servant of the Lord. In theological circles it’s what’s called “Typology”. Which are events, persons or things in the Old Testament that are seen as types prefiguring or superseding events or aspects of Christ in the New Testament. For example,  Jonah may be seen as the type of Christ in that just as he emerged from the fish’s belly. So to Jesus rises from death and the grave. We see Israel’s escape through the parting of the Red See as type of baptism of believers. We see prophesies that speak of Jesus as a New Adam. Where Adam brought sin and death into the world. So we see Jesus as a type of Adam that brings Salvation to the world. And in this case here we see prophesies that speak of Israel as a type of Jesus. Whereas Israel failed again and again. Jesus perfectly fulfills God’s will as a true Servant who faithfully and obediently carries out God’s work of Redemption and Salvation.