Sermon # 25 Series: Matthew
Title: JESUS CHRIST - JEHOVAH’S SERVANT
Text: Matthew 12:14-21
Subject: Christ Our Mediator The Servant Of
God
Scripture Reading:
Office – Ron Wood Aud. – Rex
Bartley
Date: Tuesday Evening – January 6, 1995
Tape: # Q-85
Introduction:
In the first part of this chapter
our Lord Jesus demonstrated his eternal Deity and his great dignity as God, both
by declaring himself to be Lord even of the Sabbath and by healing the man with
a withered hand. In the passage now before us the Holy Spirit shows us our
Savior’s great humiliation as Jehovah’s Servant, while at the same time
demonstrating him to be himself Jehovah God and our great Savior.
Matthew
Henry wrote, in his introduction to this paragraph, “As in the midst of Christ’s
greatest humiliations there were proofs of his dignity, so in the midst of his
greatest honors, he gave proofs of his humility; and when the mighty works he
did gave him an opportunity of making a (name for himself) figure, yet he made
it appear that he emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation.
The title
of my message tonight is Jesus Christ - Jehovah Servant. Read the text
with me - (Matt. 12:14-21).
Proposition:
Though he is himself God Almighty,
one with the Father and the Spirit in the Holy Trinity, in order to save us
from our sins the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, voluntarily became the
servant of God and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, to
do the will of God.
Divisions:
In these eight verses of inspiration
the Spirit of God clearly demonstrates five things that we need to be
held before our hearts and minds.
I. First, in
verse 14, the Holy Spirit gives us a glaring example of The Hatred of Man
for God.
“The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject unto the
law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Rom. 8). The heart of man is not natural
or indifferent toward God. All natural men, all unregenerate people, at the
care of their beings, in their hearts hate God! When the Lord Jesus both
claimed to be “Lord even of the Sabbath day” and proved his power as God by
miraculous healing, the Jews, the religious leaders of the day were so enraged
against him that they sought to destroy him. No Charge could be brought
against his character. He was holy, harmless undefiled, and separate from
sinners. No charge could be leveled against his doctrine. He proved his
teachings by the Scriptures, irrefutably. But it mattered not how perfectly he
lived or how perfectly he taught. He was hated by those people who claimed most
loudly that they loved God!
“This is human nature appearing in
its true colors! The unconverted heart hates God!” (J.C. Ryle).
A. This is the reason why God’s servants
have been persecuted and martyred throughout the centuries.
B. It must never surprise us whom we
meet with the same treatment that our Savior received in this world.
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the
world hate you” (I John 3:13). It is not our weaknesses, infirmities, and
faults that stir up the wrath of reprobate men, but rather our doctrine, our
sincerity, and our obedience to our God (John 3:19-20; I John 3:12).
II. Secondly, this paragraph (vv. 15-20)
demonstrates The Humiliation of Our Savior.
There are so many things in these
verses that need to be studied in detail with great reverence that I cannot
imagine explaining everything taught in them. But I must call your attention
to…
·
Our Savior’s
Omniscience - “When Jesus knew it!”
·
Our Master’s
Seclusion - “He withdrew himself
from thence.”
NOTE: Our
Lord did not flee from the Jews and the synagogue in fear, but because his hour
was not yet come. The time had not yet come when he must suffer and die
as our Substitute. He had other work yet to do to glorify his Father. Therefore
he rightly and widely provides for his safety.” (John Gill).
·
Our Redeemer’s
Omnipotent Mercy - “He healed them
all.”
Great multitudes followed him from all parts of the country. And not one of those who followed him, even in this physical, carnal sense lacked anything. When the multitudes were hungry, he fed them. If they were deseased, he healed them. If they were possessed by devils, he cast them out. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The Son of God never courted the praises of men. He
sought only to do the will of God. What a sermon that is! “To him
popularity became a hindrance.” (C.H. Spurgeon). Our Savior made himself of no
reputation.” (Phil. 2:5-8).
NOTE: This
deliberate act of humiliation was for the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah
in Isaiah 42:1-4. (v. 17).
III. So, thirdly, Matthew shows us The
Infallibility of Holy Scripture (v. 18 – II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21.
A. “The Scripture Was Fulfilled” Mark
15:28.
Bro. Henry Mahan has often said,
“The Old Testament scriptures tailor a garment that will fit only one man, and
that man is the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are 38 of the Old Testament prophecies
relating to the Messiah which were fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ, and can
never be fulfilled by anyone also. To anyone, except those who are willfully
ignorant, these are indisputable proofs that Jesus of Nazareth to the Christ of
God.
“The Old Testament is the New Testament foretold. The New Testament is The Old Testament fulfilled.” (John Trapp).
B. Jesus of Nazareth is The Christ and He is
Jehovah’s Servant.
Be sure you understand that this
text and all others relating to his being the Servant of God relate only to
his humility and to his office capacity as our covenant. Surety, Mediator,
and Substitute. As such this text declares six things about him…
A. He was chosen by God.
B. He is beloved of God (John 10:16-18;
Eph. 1:6).
C. He is well-pleasing to God - “In whom
I am well pleased!”
D. He was equipped by God - “I will put
my Spirit upon him.”
E. He came to revel the righteousness of
God (the gospel) to the world - The Gentiles - “He shall show judgment to the
Gentiles.
F. His servitude is a matter of voluntary
submission (v. 19 - Isa. 50:5-7).
IV. Fourthly, our text is a revelation of
The Greatness And Certainty of Christ’s Grace Toward Needy Sinners (v.
20).
Mighty and great as our Savior is,
“He despiseth not any” (Job 36:5). Even those in whom grace is ever so weak,
faith is ever so small, and repentance is ever so feeble, he is mighty to
save!”
“There is life in the infant as
truly as in the grown-up man. There is fire in a spark as truly as in a burning
flame. The least degree of grace is an everlasting possession. It comes down
from heaven. It is precious in our Lord’s eyes. It shall never be over thrown. J.C.
Ryle.
V. Fifthly, these verses declare The
Assured Success of Jehovah’s Servant - (vv. 18, 20, 21).
“He shall not fail!” (Isa. 42:4), but shall most assuredly –
A. Bring in everlasting righteousness (v. 18 -
His Obedience).
B. Bring righteousness to victory (v. 20 - His
resurrection and ascension - Col. 2:14-15).
C. Give faith to all God’s elect among the
nations of the world - (v. 21 - Rom. 11:26).