February 22

1.1 Many students start seminary with one big goal: to understand the Bible better and become 'great preachers.' It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that ministry only happens behind the pulpit. In my experience, however, preaching is actually less than half of what ministry is really about.

1.2 If we think preaching is everything, we miss what’s actually happening in people's lives. Ministry isn't just about sharing ideas from a stage; it’s about sharing a message through our lives, our sacrifices, and our relationships. The Gospel works the same way. Sharing our faith isn't just about repeating memorized verses or forcing our beliefs on others. If the Gospel is just a 'concept' and doesn't show up in how we live, it stops being a bridge of love. It can actually become like a sharp blade that hurts the people we are supposed to help.

1.3 This past Wednesday, February 18th, marked the beginning of Lent. We’ve started a journey to remember the love and sacrifice of Jesus. He didn't come as a loud conqueror, but as a humble servant. Today, looking at Isaiah 42, I want to talk about how we—as God’s children—should live out our calling. Let’s look at how we can go beyond just 'knowing' the Word and start living in a way that truly shows His justice and grace.

Isaiah 42:1–9 ESV

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break,

and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,

to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

2.1 To truly understand why today’s message is so important, we should try to see things from the perspective of the people at that time. The Israelites were living in exile in Babylon, which was a very painful period where they felt they had lost who they were. They were held captive in a foreign country for over fifty years. Since their Temple was destroyed and their leaders were gone, they were quickly losing hope. It seemed to them as if God had been defeated by the powerful gods of Babylon. They began to wonder, 'Has God forgotten about us? Does He still care about what happens to us?

2.2 It’s in this exact pit of despair that God finally speaks. But He doesn't respond with a show of military power or a loud political statement. Instead, He shifts their focus entirely by saying just one word: 'Behold.' He points them away from the flashy power of the Babylonian Empire and toward someone called 'The Servant.'

2.3 This is the first of four 'Servant Songs' in the book of Isaiah. It introduces a completely new kind of leadership—one that doesn't rely on being 'loud' or aggressive like the rest of the world, but on the 'quietness' of the Spirit. God is redefining 'Justice' (Mishpat). He isn't describing a sword used to crush enemies, but a healing light meant to fix and restore our broken world. As we enter this Lenten season, we need to realize that God is doing something new. He is calling us to look past our difficult circumstances and see the Servant who shows us His grace in the most unexpected ways.

2.4 Now, as we get into the heart of our text, we’re going to look at three key pillars of the Servant’s calling. Even though these words were written centuries ago, they still serve as a living blueprint for us today—as God’s servants and children in this generation.

• Point 1-The Source of Ministry: How God chooses us and gives us His power (verse 1)

• Point 2 - The Method of Ministry: The incredible power of being truly gentle (verses 2–3).

• Point 3 - The Goal of Ministry: Bringing true justice to a broken world (verses 4–7).

These three points aren't just stories from the past; they actually define who we are today and what we are meant to do in the future. So, let’s begin with our first point: The Source of Ministry.

Point 1 - The Source of Ministry: How God chooses us and gives us His power

Isaiah 42:1 NASB 2020

“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.

3.1 Before we dive into verse 1, I want to clarify one thing: God’s calling isn't just for a few 'special' people. Martin Luther once spoke about the 'Priesthood of all believers.' This means the call to be God’s servant doesn’t just belong to me because I’m a pastor; it belongs to every single one of you who lives in Him. We are all priests, and we are all called to walk this path together.

3.2 When we think about this calling, our first instinct is usually to check our own 'credentials.' We ask ourselves: 'Do I know enough? Do I have the right skills? Am I strong enough?' We often treat our spiritual lives like a job interview where we have to prove we’re good enough. But look at how God introduces His Servant in verse 1. He doesn't list the Servant’s education, his talents, or his achievements. Instead, He uses three powerful words that change how we see our strength: Uphold, Chosen, and Delight.

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 NLT

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

3.3 First, God says, 'Whom I uphold.' In the original Hebrew, this word means 'to grasp' or 'to sustain.' It shows that the Servant isn't standing on his own; he’s being held up by God’s hand. Whether you are serving in a church, at work, or at home, life can get messy. We can only keep going if God is the one holding us. We don’t have to grip onto our calling—God is the one gripping onto us.

3.4 Second, He calls him 'My chosen one in whom My soul delights.' This is the core of who we are. Before the Servant ever performs a miracle or says a single word, God already 'delights' in him. As I said before, if we don't have this relationship as our foundation, the Gospel we share becomes just a cold idea or a harsh word. We can only offer a 'bridge of love' to others when we truly know that the Father already loves us and delights in us.

3.5 Finally, God says, 'I have put My Spirit upon him.' This is the true source of our power. Real ministry—the kind that actually changes lives and heals broken hearts—doesn’t come from how smart we are, how well we speak, or how charismatic we might be. It comes from the Ruach, the Holy Spirit of God. During this Lenten season, we should remember that even Jesus didn’t rely on His own human strength. He was led and empowered by the Spirit every step of the way. As priests in our daily lives, we don’t need to exhaust ourselves trying to create our own fire. Instead, we need to surrender to the Spirit that God has already placed within us.

3.6 Once we realize that our calling is held up by God’s hand, rooted in His love, and powered by His Spirit, it completely changes how we act in the world. If we were relying on our own strength, we’d feel like we had to be loud, aggressive, or forceful to get anything done. But since our strength comes from God, the way we work looks very different. This brings us to our second point: The Method of Ministry—the power of being truly gentle.

Point 2 - The Method of Ministry: The incredible power of being truly gentle (verses 2–3)

Isaiah 42:2–3 NRSV

He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.

4.1 The Quiet Presence: In a world that’s constantly screaming for attention, God’s Servant is strikingly quiet. Verse 2 tells us He doesn't 'cry out' or 'raise His voice in the streets.' Think about our world today—from social media to politics, and even sometimes within the church—it often feels like everything is about who can shout the loudest. We tend to think that if we want to change the world, we have to dominate the conversation. But the Servant’s power isn't in His volume; it’s in His presence. He doesn't need to shout because He isn't trying to prove how powerful He is; He is simply carrying out His Father's grace.

4.2 The Bruised Reed and the Dimly Burning Wick: Look at how He treats those who are fragile. It says, 'A bruised reed He will not break.' A reed that is already bent or cracked is useless if you're trying to make a flute or a measuring tool; the world would just snap it and throw it away. Then it says, 'A dimly burning wick He will not put out.' A lamp that is flickering and making more smoke than light is frustrating; most people would just blow it out and start over.

Matthew 11:28–30 NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

4.3 But this is where the Gospel goes deeper. A 'literal' view might only see a useless reed or a failing lamp. But a heart shaped by God’s love sees a person in need of healing. How many people in your life—your kids, your coworkers, your neighbors—feel like 'bruised reeds' right now? They might be cracked by the pressures of life, by guilt, or just by pure exhaustion. If we come at them with a 'sharp blade' of judgment, we’ll end up breaking them. But the Servant’s way is different—it’s a way of radical gentleness.

4.4 Jesus lived this out perfectly. In Matthew 11, He reaches out to the weary—the 'bruised reeds' of His time. He doesn’t invite them to follow a new set of complicated rules; instead, He invites them to Himself. He says, 'I am gentle and humble in heart.' Just think about that for a second. The Creator of the entire universe chooses to describe His own heart as 'gentle.'

4.5 This is exactly what ministry looks like in the real world. Preaching might be the words we speak from a pulpit, but 'not breaking the bruised reed' is the actual work we do in a hospital room, at a coffee shop, or in those quiet moments of counseling. When we choose to be gentle instead of judgmental, we aren’t being weak. We are showing the strength of a God who is powerful enough to be patient. This gentleness is what transforms our message from a 'sharp blade' into a 'bridge of love.

4.6 Now, we might find ourselves asking: 'If we’re being so quiet and gentle, will anything actually change? Will we ever see true justice?' The world usually thinks that justice requires a loud voice and a heavy hand. But the Bible tells us that this gentle Servant is actually the only one who can bring about real, lasting change. This leads us to our final point: The Goal of Ministry—Establishing True Justice.

Point 3 - The Goal of Ministry: Bringing true justice to a broken world (verses 4–7)

Isaiah 42:4–5 ESV

He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:

Isaiah 42:6–7 NLT

“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.

5.1 A Justice that Restores: In our world today, 'justice' usually means punishment. It’s often just about who’s right and who’s wrong. But the Hebrew word used here, Mishpat, goes much deeper. It’s about restoring things to the way God intended them to be. It’s about healing the broken parts of our society.

5.2 Take a look at verse 4. It says the Servant 'will not grow faint or be discouraged' until this justice is established. Why would He feel discouraged? Well, because the work of healing lives and changing broken systems is slow and incredibly difficult. If we only look at the Bible on a 'literal' level, we might feel satisfied just knowing the facts. But as God’s children, our real goal is to see that truth actually set people free.

5.3 Being a 'Covenant' and a 'Light': God tells the Servant, 'I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations.' Notice He doesn't say He will give the Servant a book or a speech to deliver. He says, 'I will give YOU.'

5.4 This is the heart of what I want to share with you today. You are the message. Your life, your relationships, and your presence in this community are how God’s promise reaches people. We are called to open eyes that are blind and lead prisoners out of the darkness. This isn't just about physical sight or actual prisons; it’s about people trapped in loneliness, addiction, or the 'darkness' of not knowing they are loved. When we move beyond the rules and act with the mercy of Christ, we become the 'light' that shows them the way home.

Conclusion: The Choice of Sacrifice over Success

6.1 As we wrap up today, we have to remember that Jesus didn't come just to give us a new set of rules or a clever philosophy. He came to do exactly what verse 4 says: 'to establish justice on the earth.' When Jesus stood up in the synagogue and read from the scroll of Isaiah, He wasn’t just sharing a beautiful dream. He was declaring that the broken order of this world was finally being fixed. He came to set captives free and to give sight back to the blind.

Luke 4:18–19 ESV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

6.2 But here’s the most important part: Jesus didn't use the world’s tools of 'success' to get this done. In our world, bringing about justice usually involves power, influence, and winning at all costs. But the Servant we see in Isaiah 42—and the Savior we see on the cross—chose the way of sacrifice instead. He didn’t build a monument to His own greatness; He offered His own body as a bridge. He didn't try to shout down His enemies; He loved them until His very last breath.

6.3 This is the 'New Thing' God is talking about today. God’s righteousness didn’t come through a louder sermon or better theories; it happened through a life poured out in love. During this Lenten season, I want to challenge you: Don’t settle for a 'head-knowledge' faith that stays only in your mind. Don’t get caught up in what the world calls success. Instead, look at the Servant. Look at Jesus. As God’s children and priests, let’s walk the path of sacrifice. Let’s be the hands that refuse to break the bruised reed, and the hearts that bring God’s justice to others through the radical, selfless love of Christ. He has called you by name. He is holding your hand. Now, go and be His light to the nations.

Short-Answer Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2–3 sentences, based on the information provided in the source text.

1. What is the historical context of the people of Israel when the message of Isaiah 42 was first delivered?

2. How does the text redefine the concept of "ministry" beyond the traditional role of preaching from a pulpit?

3. Explain the significance of the word "Behold" as used in Isaiah 42:1 within the context of the Babylonian exile.

4. What is the "Priesthood of all believers," and how does it apply to the average person according to the text?

5. Identify and briefly explain the three words God uses in verse 1 to describe His relationship with the Servant.

6. What is the role of the Ruach (Holy Spirit) in the life of a servant of God?

7. How does the "Method of Ministry" described in the text differ from the way modern society typically seeks to exert influence?

8. What do the metaphors of the "bruised reed" and "dimly burning wick" signify regarding how a servant should treat others?

9. How does the Hebrew word Mishpat change the traditional Western understanding of "justice"?

10. In what way does the text suggest that a believer "is" the message rather than just a messenger?

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Quiz Answer Key

1. Context of Israel: The Israelites were living in exile in Babylon, facing a deep national crisis of identity and despair after fifty years of captivity. Their Temple was destroyed and their kings were gone, leading many to believe God had lost to the Babylonian idols.

2. Redefining Ministry: Ministry is described as being less than half about preaching from a pulpit; instead, it is about sharing the Gospel through one's life, sacrifices, and relationships. It is the act of becoming a "bridge of love" rather than just sharing memorized concepts or verses.

3. Significance of "Behold": God uses the word "Behold" to shift the Israelites' focus away from their despair and the flashy power of the Babylonian Empire. It serves as a directive to look toward a new kind of leader, the "Servant," who operates through quietness and the Spirit.

4. Priesthood of All Believers: This concept, originally mentioned by Martin Luther, means that the calling to be God’s servant is not reserved for pastors or "special" people alone. Every believer is considered a priest and is called to walk the path of service and ministry in their daily lives.

5. Three Key Words: The words are "Uphold" (God grasping and sustaining the servant), "Chosen" (God’s specific selection), and "Delight" (God’s foundational love and joy in the servant). These indicate that the servant’s strength comes from God’s character rather than the servant's own credentials.

6. Role of the Ruach: The Holy Spirit is the true source of power for ministry that changes lives and heals hearts. Believers are encouraged to surrender to the Spirit already placed within them rather than trying to create their own strength or "fire."

7. Method of Ministry: Unlike the world, which often relies on shouting, aggression, and dominating conversations, the Servant’s method is one of quiet presence. Power is found in being truly gentle and carrying out the Father’s grace rather than trying to prove strength through volume.

8. Reed and Wick Metaphors: These represent fragile people—those cracked by pressure, guilt, or exhaustion—whom the world would typically discard or "break." The servant’s way is radical gentleness, choosing to heal and restore these individuals rather than judging or breaking them.

9. Understanding Mishpat: While modern justice often focuses on punishment and determining who is right or wrong, Mishpat is about restoration. It refers to the process of healing broken parts of society and returning things to the state God originally intended.

10. Being the Message: The text states that God does not just give the Servant a book or a speech, but gives the Servant himself as a "covenant." This means a believer’s life, relationships, and presence in the community are the primary ways God's promises reach and light the way for others.