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“Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it.” (Isaiah 42:5 NASB) |
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Infinite power The amazing, unlimited creative power of God is on display in Isaiah 42. In fact, the Tri-unity of God is shown to be the power behind all creation, sustenance, and salvation – something Paul will later echo in Colossians 1. Specifically, Isaiah 42 introduces the Messiah as the special servant of God: one with the Father and possessor of infinite power. And that ultimate power is what makes verses 2-3 of Isaiah 42 so astonishing. “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.” (Isaiah 42:2-3 NASB) Soft strength The Messiah’s method for creating, sustaining, and saving is gentleness. Chew on that for a minute. He possesses all power, but Isaiah predicts that the Messiah will accomplish His work through authoritative softness. Truly that is unique and, to human thinking at least, unexpected. Matthew particularly seems to enjoy showing how Jesus fulfills this Messianic prophecy. In Matthew 7 [see especially verse 29] Jesus is recognized as having singular authority; Matthew 11 highlights His gentleness [again, see verse 29]; and Matthew 12 quotes Isaiah 42 directly, declaring that Jesus is the Messiah, Servant of the Father. A prayer In light of that revelation, many of us no doubt find ourselves convicted. Parents, how do we exercise our appropriate and considerable authority? Leaders, what is our m.o. in executing our duties? My prayer for myself and each of us is that we will continually be conformed to the likeness of Jesus and His authoritative softness. |