“Behold My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights!” (v. 1a)

Today, we consider the first of the four notable “Servant Songs” of Isaiah’s portraying the coming of Jesus the Messiah. The other three are to be found in chapters 49, 50 and 52/53. Others have called these the: “Songs of the Suffering Servant” and while the last one does indeed present the excruciating sorrow and suffering of our Savior, our emphasis here today is simply the role of servanthood in the life and ministry of Jesus.

On Jesus’ last journey up to Jerusalem before His betrayal, trial and sentence of death, James and John asked a favor of Jesus. With the added incentive of their mother, they asked to have the seats on either side of Jesus in the glory of His kingdom. Jesus said, “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”  Then He declared in the hearing of all twelve that none of them should act like Gentile rulers who love to have authority and lord it over others. He continued by saying:

“Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (see Mark10:32-45) 

Early on in our ministry, I determined to model my service to our congregations after these very words of Jesus. I began my early messages entitled, “Among You to Serve” to most of the full-dozen churches where I pastored along with three associate positions.

God blessed us with fifty plus unbroken years of ministry. But each time, when I quoted my Master’s words as the text for my message, I indicated that I was modifying Jesus’ words by placing a period before the last four words of His affirmation to His disciples. While I declared that we were among them to give our lives in loving service to all, Jesus Christ was and is the One and only who could give the last full measure of devotion and sacrifice of His own life’s blood as “a ransom for many.”  In this Lenten Season, let us celebrate how wonderfully Jesus our Lord did lay down His life for us! Hallelujah! What a Savior!”

Author: Garth Hyde

Other Lenten readings for today:

• Hebrews 9:11-15
• John 12:9-19