The Servant of the Lord | December 1, 2024 | Deaf Ministry

Isaiah 42:1-9 Philippians 2:1-11 Matt 12:9-21
@MillneckOrg @lutheranfriendsofthedeaf4682 #lutheran #deafchurch #deaf #asl #signlanguage #missourisynod #lutheran #lcms
Pastor Dave Bolte
The books at the end of the Old Testament are collectively called the
Prophets. They include books like Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Amos, and
Malachi. Essentially the message of the Prophets is threefold:
1. first, they are words of warning to the rebellious Israelites calling them to repent.
2. Second, they are words of judgment for the godless nations that surround Israel - also calling them to repent.
3. And finally, the Prophets speak words of hope, comfort, and salvation in the coming Messiah. Of all the Prophets, none is greater than Isaiah. Isaiah is considered the first among equals; the greatest of the Prophets2. He lived 700 years before Jesus was born; and he was sent to the southern Kingdom of Judah. Isaiah foretold so much about Jesus' life that his book is frequently called the “Fifth Gospel3”
--- as in (1) Matthew, (2) Mark, (3) Luke, (4) John, and (5) Isaiah!
Today we begin the Advent season, it’s a time when we eagerly anticipate the birth of Christ in Bethlehem and prepare for Christmas season. In our preparation, we will use the “Fifth Gospel” of Isaiah to guide us in our preparation to celebrate the birth of the Savior.
In Isaiah, there are four chapters that are referred to as the Servant Songs.
These are 4 chapters that virtually outline the mission and ministry of Jesus, they are quoted frequently in the New Testament, and they teach us why the Son of God was born in Bethlehem. Here is part of the first “Servant Song”:
BEHOLD! My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One in whom I delight; I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring righteousness to the nations. Isaiah 42:1
Jesus is this Servant, the Chosen One who brings righteousness to the
nations. In Jesus’ Baptism, the Father spoke words similar to this when He said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” Also at Jesus’ Baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus as a dove - as one “anointed” (= Messiah) by the Spirit. And Jesus was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.”
Jesus is the Servant of the Lord, Chosen by the Father, Given the Spirit,
who brings righteousness to the nations. Righteousness is a legal term that means Not Guilty. Jesus has earned that legal verdict for you through His own life and death. That's why He was born in Bethlehem..