WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:07.820 Now, can you turn with me in your Bibles again, this time to the book of Isaiah, Isaiah chapter 41. 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:11.339 It's on page 726 if you're using a church Bible. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:19.900 We're going to read Isaiah 41 from verse 21 into chapter 42. 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:26.400 We're going to focus our attention on the first nine verses of chapter 42, 00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:33.399 but we'll read from verse 41 for a bit of context as we think about Jesus, the servant of the Lord. 00:00:34.379 --> 00:00:36.439 So Isaiah 41 at verse 21. 00:00:36.600 --> 00:00:38.179 Present your case, says the Lord. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:41.179 Set forth your arguments, says Jacob's king. 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:44.140 Bring in your idols to tell us what's going to happen. 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:48.859 Tell us what the former things were so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. 00:00:49.239 --> 00:00:51.859 Or declare to us the things to come. 00:00:52.200 --> 00:00:56.340 Tell us what the future holds so that we may know you are God's. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:01.379 Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear. 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:06.640 But you are less than nothing, and your works are utterly worthless. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:09.120 He who chooses you is detestable. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:14.840 I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes, one from the rising sun who calls on my name. 00:01:15.340 --> 00:01:19.659 He treads on rulers as if they were mortar, as if he were a potter treading the clay. 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:25.400 Who told of this from the beginning so that we could know, or beforehand so that we could say he was right? 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:27.120 No one told of this. 00:01:27.600 --> 00:01:28.680 No one foretold it. 00:01:29.080 --> 00:01:30.620 No one heard any words from you. 00:01:31.080 --> 00:01:32.859 I was the first to tell Zion. 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:34.200 Look, here they are. 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:37.460 I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good tidings. 00:01:37.960 --> 00:01:39.240 I look, but there is no one. 00:01:39.680 --> 00:01:41.140 No one among them to give counsel. 00:01:41.300 --> 00:01:43.140 No one to give answer when I ask them. 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:45.160 See, they are all false. 00:01:45.620 --> 00:01:46.840 Their deeds amount to nothing. 00:01:47.260 --> 00:01:50.080 Their images are but wind and confusion. 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:57.739 Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. 00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:02.939 I will put my spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:07.859 He will not shout or cry out or raise his voice in the streets. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:10.319 A bruised reed he will not break. 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:12.479 In a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. 00:02:13.139 --> 00:02:15.780 In faithfulness he will bring forth justice. 00:02:15.780 --> 00:02:21.039 He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. 00:02:21.460 --> 00:02:23.840 In his law the islands will put their hope. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:26.800 This is what God the Lord says. 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:29.520 He who created the heavens and stretched them out, 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:32.360 who spreads out the earth and all that comes out of it, 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:36.740 who gives breath to its people and life to those who walk on it. 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:40.699 I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness. 00:02:40.699 --> 00:02:42.959 I will take hold of your hand. 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:46.759 I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people 00:02:46.759 --> 00:02:48.539 and a light for the Gentiles, 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:50.839 to open eyes that are blind, 00:02:51.079 --> 00:02:52.799 to free captives from prison, 00:02:52.799 --> 00:02:55.579 and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. 00:02:56.219 --> 00:02:57.339 I am the Lord. 00:02:57.439 --> 00:02:58.259 That is my name. 00:02:58.819 --> 00:03:01.939 I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. 00:03:02.639 --> 00:03:06.599 See, the former things have taken place and new things I declare. 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:09.139 Before they spring into being, 00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:11.919 I announce them to you. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:13.259 Amen. 00:03:18.259 --> 00:03:21.939 So sometimes people speak about the current generation 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:25.159 as the choice generation. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:29.639 You may have heard of the acronym FOMO, 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:31.340 the fear of missing out. 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:33.620 I came across another one this week, 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:37.640 FOMO, the fear of better options. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:40.200 And I wonder if some of us can identify with that. 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:43.360 When there's an endless choice in life for almost anything, 00:03:43.480 --> 00:03:46.400 from toothbrushes to job opportunities, 00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:48.800 from holidays to what to watch on the television, 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:53.500 the result can be choice paralysis. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:55.900 If I make this choice, 00:03:55.960 --> 00:03:57.360 if I go through this door, 00:03:58.400 --> 00:03:59.960 that's going to close off these options. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:02.379 And what if these are the better options? 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:04.659 What if there's something better out there for me? 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:08.120 And people can be paralyzed by too much choice. 00:04:08.299 --> 00:04:12.359 And one of the reasons why it's so unhelpful for us 00:04:12.359 --> 00:04:14.159 is because we can be so tied up 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:16.540 in thinking about these choices 00:04:16.540 --> 00:04:19.819 that ultimately don't matter that much 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:23.480 that we can forget the one choice that really does. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:27.879 And that brings us to God's message to Israel, 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:29.300 to the nations, 00:04:29.400 --> 00:04:32.400 and to ourselves today in the book of Isaiah. 00:04:32.960 --> 00:04:35.100 And it's all about worship. 00:04:35.300 --> 00:04:37.700 It's all about what we choose to make most valuable, 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:38.600 most significant, 00:04:38.740 --> 00:04:41.420 where we look to for meaning. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:42.939 When it comes to worship, 00:04:43.200 --> 00:04:43.860 God says, 00:04:44.020 --> 00:04:47.220 choose me and choose my servant. 00:04:47.220 --> 00:04:50.680 Don't choose an idol. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:54.800 This section's actually part of a bigger section 00:04:54.800 --> 00:04:56.840 that presents the choice before us. 00:04:56.920 --> 00:04:58.960 Isaiah 41 to 46. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:01.520 It repeatedly goes back to this idea 00:05:01.520 --> 00:05:05.380 that the idols that people follow are hollow. 00:05:06.140 --> 00:05:08.200 They fail to deliver on their promises. 00:05:08.400 --> 00:05:10.220 They lack power to save. 00:05:10.840 --> 00:05:14.420 They cannot know or control the future. 00:05:14.420 --> 00:05:19.060 The idols in Isaiah's day 00:05:19.060 --> 00:05:22.480 were statues made of wood or gold or silver. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:28.100 But an idol can be anything that we worship 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:32.740 because we hope that it will protect us, 00:05:32.840 --> 00:05:35.300 that in some way it will save us, 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:36.819 that it will grant us success, 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:39.480 it will give value to life. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:41.080 So for us today, 00:05:41.200 --> 00:05:43.120 we might not have statues, 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:46.240 but we might be pinning all our hopes 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:48.439 on a career perhaps, 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:50.980 or a relationship, 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:52.759 or a series of relationships. 00:05:53.459 --> 00:05:54.980 We could place all our hopes 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:57.100 in political institutions 00:05:57.100 --> 00:05:59.980 or financial security. 00:06:02.660 --> 00:06:05.220 Here's our choice today. 00:06:07.340 --> 00:06:09.800 God gives us a courtroom picture. 00:06:10.040 --> 00:06:11.280 Present your case. 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:12.879 That's how our reading went. 00:06:13.039 --> 00:06:13.919 On the one hand, 00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:15.500 there are the idols. 00:06:16.739 --> 00:06:19.279 You can choose to follow those idols, 00:06:19.539 --> 00:06:21.619 or God says, 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:24.639 here is my servant. 00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:26.199 Here is the servant of the Lord, 00:06:26.259 --> 00:06:28.819 the one who the New Testament reveals to us 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:30.639 as Jesus. 00:06:30.839 --> 00:06:31.879 Here is this figure 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:34.579 who will take the stage of history 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:37.939 to serve as a worldwide redeemer, 00:06:38.059 --> 00:06:40.500 who is the answer to the darkness, 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:43.540 who provides light and truth. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:46.100 So we're going to think about Jesus, 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:47.560 the servant of the Lord, 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:48.100 this morning, 00:06:48.220 --> 00:06:49.699 thinking about why, 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:50.560 if we're Christians, 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:52.699 we are to keep on following 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:54.560 the servant of the Lord. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:55.379 And if we're not Christians, 00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:57.680 here's why we should consider, 00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:00.600 why we should follow Jesus. 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:02.920 The first reason is connected 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:05.560 to his identity. 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:07.980 Even as we read verse 1, 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:09.439 it becomes very clear 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:11.959 that this servant is God's man 00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:15.180 who will be on God's mission. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:17.899 So Isaiah 42 verse 1, 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:20.199 here is my servant whom I uphold, 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:22.800 my chosen one in whom I delight. 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:25.360 I will put my spirit on him 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:28.699 and he will bring justice to the nations. 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:31.439 God's servant who is upheld, 00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:33.699 given power for his task. 00:07:33.699 --> 00:07:35.019 But he's not just a servant, 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:36.740 he's also the chosen one. 00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:38.379 He is one who is loved, 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:40.839 that God delights in him. 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:43.620 And we see that he acts for God. 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:45.560 God's spirit is on him 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:46.639 and he brings justice. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:48.680 He brings the rule of God 00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:50.779 to the nations. 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:52.599 An idea repeated in verse 1 00:07:52.599 --> 00:07:54.579 and then again in verse 4. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:56.939 And then in verses 5 and 6, 00:07:57.019 --> 00:07:58.360 the same kind of idea 00:07:58.360 --> 00:07:59.800 comes up again. 00:07:59.919 --> 00:08:01.560 Here is God the Lord, 00:08:01.659 --> 00:08:03.199 here is the creator of the world, 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:05.759 here is the sustainer of the world speaking. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:08.539 And in verse 6, 00:08:09.099 --> 00:08:13.000 we see God's purpose for his servant. 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:14.519 We see all the purpose language. 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:17.279 I have called you in righteousness. 00:08:17.539 --> 00:08:19.099 I will take hold of your hand. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:20.120 I will keep you 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:22.219 and will make you to be a covenant 00:08:22.219 --> 00:08:23.980 for the people. 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:25.719 What's the identity of this servant? 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:27.319 He is one who is loved of God 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:29.079 and who is sent by God 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:31.000 on a mission to establish 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.580 the kingdom of God, 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:34.720 to bring people into relationship 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:35.259 with God, 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:38.340 to be the hope of the nations. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:41.539 And it's as if God is saying, 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:42.940 you need to decide 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:44.340 which you're going to choose. 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:44.980 Are you going to choose 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:46.299 the genuine article, 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:47.460 this servant, 00:08:47.559 --> 00:08:48.440 or will you choose 00:08:48.440 --> 00:08:49.759 what is fake? 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:50.460 Just as, 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:51.759 I guess nowadays, 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:52.980 if we shop on the internet, 00:08:53.059 --> 00:08:53.879 we need to be careful 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:54.440 on Amazon 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:55.659 that we get the real deal 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:56.580 and not a counterfeit, 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:57.580 or we go to a market, 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:59.480 need to check what you're getting. 00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:01.480 God is saying to us, 00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:04.000 the idols cannot supply 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:06.019 what we need. 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:08.779 What we look to from them, 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:10.080 they will not be able 00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:11.700 in the end to deliver, 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:13.519 though they might claim to. 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:15.420 Think for a minute 00:09:15.420 --> 00:09:16.779 about the world of advertising. 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:18.019 Advertising exists 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:19.100 to persuade you 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:20.180 that life will be complete 00:09:20.180 --> 00:09:21.899 when you have that thing 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:23.240 that they're trying to sell us. 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:24.879 The reality is that 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:27.460 staff and people, 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:30.100 they provide temporary happiness, 00:09:31.420 --> 00:09:32.780 but God invites us 00:09:32.780 --> 00:09:33.660 to think bigger 00:09:33.660 --> 00:09:34.639 and to look bigger. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:37.100 That the Christian message 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:39.660 provides solid joy 00:09:39.660 --> 00:09:42.379 and lasting treasure 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:44.240 because it invites us 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.740 to know God himself. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:47.500 Because we were created 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:48.759 in the image of God 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:50.259 to know and enjoy him. 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:51.740 We're created with 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:54.340 never-dying souls. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:56.240 And so the idols 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:57.460 are not big enough 00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:58.860 to satisfy. 00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:03.440 But God is going to send 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:04.759 his servant, 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:05.460 he says, 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:06.920 in Isaiah's day. 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:08.580 And even the identity 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:09.899 of the servant 00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:11.240 sparks hope. 00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:12.720 And especially as we read 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:15.620 in light of Jesus coming, 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:16.420 do you remember 00:10:16.420 --> 00:10:18.240 what's said of Jesus' 00:10:18.560 --> 00:10:20.120 public arrival? 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:21.600 Jesus, God's king, 00:10:21.660 --> 00:10:22.600 who's also God's servant, 00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:23.800 very different arrival. 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:25.199 Then the arrival 00:10:25.199 --> 00:10:26.639 of the royal wedding yesterday 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.819 with the fancy carriage 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:29.079 and all the pomp and ceremony. 00:10:29.319 --> 00:10:30.199 Jesus came, 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:31.979 was placed in a manger. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:32.859 And then when he began 00:10:32.859 --> 00:10:34.019 his public ministry, 00:10:34.359 --> 00:10:35.699 he came to John the Baptist 00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:36.399 to be baptized 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.599 in the Jordan River. 00:10:37.959 --> 00:10:38.959 And what happened? 00:10:39.299 --> 00:10:40.559 The Spirit of God 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:42.659 came on him, 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:44.359 came on the servant. 00:10:44.479 --> 00:10:45.519 The voice from heaven 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:45.979 spoke, 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.799 this is my son 00:10:48.319 --> 00:10:50.740 whom I love. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:52.679 Listen to him. 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:54.339 And what was the message 00:10:54.339 --> 00:10:55.199 of Jesus 00:10:55.199 --> 00:10:56.519 as he began moving around 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:57.459 preaching and teaching? 00:10:57.959 --> 00:10:59.719 It was repent and believe 00:10:59.719 --> 00:11:01.299 for the kingdom of God 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:01.839 is near. 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:03.099 Here is the servant 00:11:03.099 --> 00:11:04.299 with the spirit on him 00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:05.279 who's loved by God, 00:11:05.339 --> 00:11:06.399 who's bringing in 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:07.019 the kingdom 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:08.679 through his life. 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:10.000 So Jesus 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:12.219 is no ordinary man. 00:11:12.459 --> 00:11:13.759 He is God's man. 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:14.079 Indeed, 00:11:14.199 --> 00:11:15.919 he is the God man 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:16.679 on God's 00:11:17.319 --> 00:11:18.679 rescue mission. 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:22.139 So we follow Jesus, 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.019 we are called 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:24.019 to follow Jesus 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:25.779 because of who he is. 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:27.259 Because he is 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.359 God the Son 00:11:28.359 --> 00:11:29.939 on God's mission. 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:31.279 Another reason 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:32.579 is presented to us 00:11:32.579 --> 00:11:34.120 for following Jesus 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.519 in verses 2 and 3 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.539 and it's tied into 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:38.199 the character 00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:38.959 of the servant. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:43.060 So we've just been told 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:44.300 that this servant 00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:44.740 will come 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.540 and he will establish 00:11:45.540 --> 00:11:46.480 justice 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:47.820 in the nations 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:48.280 and that's 00:11:48.280 --> 00:11:49.540 a powerful 00:11:49.540 --> 00:11:51.400 role and responsibility 00:11:51.400 --> 00:11:52.500 but then we're told 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.480 in verses 2 and 3 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:54.840 how he goes about 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:55.400 his work 00:11:55.400 --> 00:11:55.920 and it's both 00:11:55.920 --> 00:11:57.080 surprising 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:59.000 and also 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.280 attractive. 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:00.920 We've got this 00:12:00.920 --> 00:12:01.440 combination 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:02.560 of 00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:02.960 power 00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:04.960 with 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:06.379 gentleness. 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:08.700 So he's come 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:09.480 to establish 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:10.580 to bring justice 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:11.259 to the nations 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:12.439 but look at verse 2. 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:14.679 He will not shout 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:16.899 or cry out 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:18.879 or raise his voice 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.600 in the streets. 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.539 He's not brash. 00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:24.580 He's not harsh. 00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:25.980 He doesn't seek 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:26.679 to dominate 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:27.840 or rule 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.600 by force. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:31.980 Verse 3. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.820 A bruised reed 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:35.600 he will not break. 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:37.360 He's gentle 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.679 with what seems 00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:39.240 weak 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.179 what might be 00:12:40.179 --> 00:12:40.740 considered 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:42.179 in other hands 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:43.419 worthless. 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.899 A smouldering 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:46.419 wick 00:12:46.419 --> 00:12:47.879 he will not 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.159 snuff out 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:50.279 protecting 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:50.960 even that 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:51.620 which seems 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:53.000 so fragile 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:53.600 as to be 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.159 close 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:55.100 to 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.360 extinction. 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:58.120 Jesus 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.759 the servant 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.419 of the Lord 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:00.679 is powerful 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:02.659 but he's also 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:03.879 gentle. 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:06.000 this is the 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:06.899 kind of person 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:07.779 that we want 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:08.879 in our lives 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.259 that when we 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.159 find ourselves 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:12.240 with trouble 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:12.939 or with 00:13:12.939 --> 00:13:13.879 questions 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:15.000 or in crisis 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.179 someone who we 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:16.860 can go to 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:17.679 who is able 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:18.740 to understand 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:19.860 and help 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:21.279 but more than 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:21.679 that 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:23.159 someone who 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:24.320 wants to 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:24.720 help 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.860 somebody who 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:26.500 wants to 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.120 draw near 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:28.299 to show us 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:28.679 love 00:13:28.679 --> 00:13:29.440 and to show 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:30.179 us mercy 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:30.299 mercy. 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:31.979 And I think 00:13:31.979 --> 00:13:32.379 we all know 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.039 this is not 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:34.000 a common 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.500 combination 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:37.179 to find the 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:37.699 people in the 00:13:37.699 --> 00:13:38.639 places of power 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.179 who are 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:40.620 still gentle 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.719 with those 00:13:41.719 --> 00:13:42.399 under them. 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.339 And so often 00:13:44.339 --> 00:13:44.859 it's those who 00:13:44.859 --> 00:13:45.299 are gentle 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:45.759 who lack 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.179 the power 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:46.620 to help 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:46.919 when they 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:47.559 would love 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:48.679 to help. 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:50.319 But here 00:13:50.319 --> 00:13:51.039 is the servant 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:51.559 who is both 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:52.099 powerful 00:13:52.099 --> 00:13:53.799 and gentle. 00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:54.519 To give us 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:55.439 a picture 00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:56.359 think of a 00:13:56.359 --> 00:13:56.939 lion 00:13:56.940 --> 00:13:58.460 a female 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:58.960 lion 00:13:58.960 --> 00:13:59.840 out on 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:00.480 the hunt. 00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:01.620 As that 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.080 lion 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:03.120 pounces 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.060 on her 00:14:04.060 --> 00:14:04.320 prey 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:04.640 you have 00:14:04.640 --> 00:14:04.900 those 00:14:04.900 --> 00:14:05.880 huge 00:14:05.880 --> 00:14:06.460 powerful 00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:07.060 jaws 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:07.560 capable 00:14:07.560 --> 00:14:08.020 of 00:14:08.020 --> 00:14:08.480 tearing 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.120 an 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:09.580 animal 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:10.560 apart. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:11.480 There is 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:12.020 power 00:14:12.020 --> 00:14:12.800 in the 00:14:12.800 --> 00:14:13.200 animal 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:13.540 and in 00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:13.760 those 00:14:13.760 --> 00:14:14.040 jaws 00:14:14.040 --> 00:14:14.500 but those 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:14.980 same 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:15.740 jaws 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.880 will also 00:14:16.880 --> 00:14:17.280 carry 00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:18.000 her cubs 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.440 very tenderly 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:20.640 to safety. 00:14:22.160 --> 00:14:23.040 Only 00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:24.160 Jesus 00:14:24.160 --> 00:14:26.200 demonstrates 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:27.420 ultimate 00:14:27.420 --> 00:14:28.240 strength 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.820 and applies 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:30.740 that same 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.600 strength 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.940 in tender 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:34.140 gentle 00:14:34.140 --> 00:14:35.280 ways. 00:14:35.920 --> 00:14:36.800 When we 00:14:36.800 --> 00:14:37.440 see Jesus 00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:37.840 in the 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:38.379 gospels 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:38.920 we find 00:14:38.920 --> 00:14:39.520 one who 00:14:39.520 --> 00:14:40.180 has the 00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:40.740 power to 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.480 drive away 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:41.940 demons. 00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:43.400 We find 00:14:43.400 --> 00:14:43.600 him 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.660 overturning 00:14:44.660 --> 00:14:45.580 the tables 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.120 of money 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:46.680 changers 00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:47.180 who are 00:14:47.180 --> 00:14:48.180 oppressing 00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:49.020 those who 00:14:49.020 --> 00:14:49.420 would want 00:14:49.420 --> 00:14:49.980 to worship 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:50.540 God. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:51.640 We see 00:14:51.640 --> 00:14:51.960 one who 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:52.540 is powerful 00:14:52.540 --> 00:14:53.080 enough to 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:53.680 call the 00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:54.120 dead 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.120 to life. 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.740 to offer 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.320 forgiveness 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:57.940 to those 00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:58.240 who have 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:58.560 sinned. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:00.320 But then 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:00.620 as we 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.120 read in 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:01.440 Matthew 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:01.879 chapter 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:02.460 12 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:04.519 we saw 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.100 that this 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.220 description 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.240 in verses 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:07.799 2 and 3 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:08.600 was also 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:09.440 applied to 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:09.980 Jesus and 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:10.399 we see 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:10.860 that in 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.340 his life 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:11.700 too. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:12.720 We see 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.100 Jesus 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:13.919 very gentle 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.399 with those 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:16.139 in pain. 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.600 We see 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:17.980 Jesus 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:19.299 loving to 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:19.779 those who 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:20.200 have been 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:21.240 rejected. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.460 We see 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.460 Jesus tender 00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:24.379 to those 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:24.920 who found 00:15:24.920 --> 00:15:25.340 themselves 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:25.980 in their 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.080 lowest places 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:27.620 in very 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.160 dark 00:15:28.160 --> 00:15:29.019 spaces 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.600 because 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.080 Jesus 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.759 is 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.800 the 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:33.240 perfect 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:33.660 saviour. 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:33.960 He is 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.560 the saviour 00:15:34.560 --> 00:15:35.379 we all 00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:35.860 need. 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:36.200 One who 00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:36.860 is stronger 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.720 than all 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:38.360 the forces 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.280 of darkness 00:15:39.280 --> 00:15:40.000 that line up 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:40.600 against us 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:40.860 and that 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:41.420 lined up 00:15:41.420 --> 00:15:42.840 against him. 00:15:43.780 --> 00:15:44.680 Paul says 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:45.680 in Colossians 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.740 that Jesus 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:48.500 triumphed over 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.600 all the 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.280 forces of 00:15:50.280 --> 00:15:50.639 darkness. 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.180 Satan, 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:51.700 sin, 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:52.320 death, 00:15:52.520 --> 00:15:53.200 conquering 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:53.680 them 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.700 at the 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.280 cross. 00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:58.100 Jesus 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.540 is the 00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:59.100 one who 00:15:59.100 --> 00:15:59.660 has dealt 00:15:59.660 --> 00:16:00.100 with the 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.560 sin that 00:16:00.560 --> 00:16:01.420 separates us 00:16:01.420 --> 00:16:01.900 from God. 00:16:02.140 --> 00:16:02.420 He has 00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:03.680 taken the 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:04.180 judgment 00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:05.379 that we 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:05.900 deserve 00:16:05.900 --> 00:16:06.900 that separates 00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:07.300 us and 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:07.660 would lead 00:16:07.660 --> 00:16:08.080 us into 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:08.620 eternal 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.400 separation 00:16:09.400 --> 00:16:10.140 from God. 00:16:11.640 --> 00:16:12.220 Jesus 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.620 is the 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.379 one who 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:13.700 deals 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.420 gently 00:16:14.420 --> 00:16:15.780 with his 00:16:15.780 --> 00:16:16.120 people. 00:16:16.280 --> 00:16:16.740 He knows 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.040 us, 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:17.580 he knows 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.160 our weakness 00:16:18.160 --> 00:16:19.120 and still 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:19.580 he loves 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:20.420 us and 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:20.879 still he 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.379 cares for 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.700 us. 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.220 So you 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:23.460 and I 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:23.779 we can 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.419 trust him 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.559 and we 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:25.899 should 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:27.240 trust him. 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:29.320 Another 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:29.960 reason to 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.639 follow Jesus 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.340 is because 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:32.980 of the 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.519 mission 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.439 that he 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.120 has been 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.159 sent on. 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:37.539 Already 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.399 in this 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:39.059 section 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:39.700 the contrast 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.419 between the 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.620 idols and 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.220 the servant 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.059 is becoming 00:16:43.059 --> 00:16:44.200 apparent 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:45.460 but God 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.100 goes still 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.919 further to 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:48.259 show Israel, 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:48.759 to show the 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.080 nations, 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:49.679 to show us 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.279 why we should 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.439 choose Jesus 00:16:51.439 --> 00:16:52.120 and not 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.299 anyone else 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:53.799 to live 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.240 for. 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.620 In verses 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.100 6 and 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.439 7, 00:16:56.839 --> 00:16:57.439 the Lord 00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.259 capital letters, 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:58.959 the personal 00:16:58.959 --> 00:16:59.379 God, 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.100 the promise 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.919 making God 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:02.319 goes further 00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:03.360 to help us 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.139 choose wisely. 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.539 If we go 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.160 towards the 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.039 bottom half 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.460 of verse 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:06.879 6, 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:08.960 we see 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.240 this, 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:09.500 I will 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.279 keep you 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.240 and will 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.680 make you 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.139 to be a 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:12.559 covenant 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:12.980 for the 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.279 people 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.399 and a 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:14.879 light for 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:15.680 the Gentiles, 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.639 to open 00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:17.139 eyes that 00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:17.779 are blind, 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:18.940 to free 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.680 captives from 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.860 prison and 00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:21.460 to release 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:21.840 from the 00:17:21.840 --> 00:17:22.279 dungeon 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.200 those who 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.240 sit in 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:24.759 darkness. 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:25.560 What are 00:17:25.560 --> 00:17:26.240 the mission 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.920 objectives of 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.539 the servant 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.039 of the Lord, 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:29.480 the one who 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:29.799 will be 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.140 sent? 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:31.700 He's sent 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.840 to bring 00:17:32.840 --> 00:17:34.039 relationship, 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.740 a relationship 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.840 restored between 00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:36.940 God and 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.480 people. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.360 He comes 00:17:38.360 --> 00:17:39.940 for restoration 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:41.019 from darkness 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:42.039 and misery 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:43.259 to light 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.000 and life. 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.380 Notice the 00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:46.980 language in 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.880 verse 6, 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.299 I will 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:48.920 make you 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.599 to be 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.559 a covenant. 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:51.660 This 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.420 servant, 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.440 this Jesus 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.319 is God's 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:56.019 means through 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.579 whom people 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.079 will come 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:57.720 into a 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:57.980 covenant 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.660 relationship 00:17:58.660 --> 00:17:59.099 with the 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.599 Lord God 00:17:59.599 --> 00:17:59.920 himself. 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.420 There is 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:01.259 no other 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:01.720 way to 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.200 know God 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.160 except through 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.180 Jesus and 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.759 trusting what 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.740 he has done 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.240 for us. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.259 In Isaiah's 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.500 day, 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.440 there were 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.059 many people, 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.579 although they 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.480 were God's 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:11.860 covenant 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:12.259 people, 00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:12.559 they were 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.160 living without 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.980 reference to 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.319 God. 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:16.500 in trouble, 00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:16.919 they didn't 00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.460 pray to 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:17.779 God. 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.279 In trouble, 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:18.980 they were 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.539 looking to 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.079 foreign 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:21.500 alliances to 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.279 deliver them. 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.700 They were 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.639 faithless, 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:25.159 but here is 00:18:25.159 --> 00:18:26.379 hope for them 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:27.299 despite that 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.019 lack of faith 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.740 because God 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.579 is faithful. 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.579 God keeps 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.359 his covenant 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.599 promises and 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.659 this servant 00:18:35.659 --> 00:18:36.259 who will come 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.639 stands as 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:38.980 proof of 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.279 that. 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.439 Can I trust 00:18:40.439 --> 00:18:40.839 that God 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.500 will love me, 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:41.939 that God 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:42.679 will save me? 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.299 Yes, 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:43.779 because he 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.599 sent Jesus 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:46.119 his servant 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:46.619 as he 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.299 promised. 00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:49.559 And he 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.200 does it 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.079 as a 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.519 free 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.460 decision. 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:52.899 God 00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.599 freely 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.639 decides out 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:55.079 of love 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:55.480 to take 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.259 and keep 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.700 a people 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.480 for himself. 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:59.220 Not based 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.500 on a 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.039 person's 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.639 goodness 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.720 or a 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.099 religious 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.779 performance, 00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:03.339 but based 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.579 wholly on 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.339 God's 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.399 grace. 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.539 The servant 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.079 is the 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:09.399 basis for 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.099 a covenant 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:11.019 being established. 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:11.559 And we see 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:11.919 how this 00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:12.539 works out. 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:13.759 In the 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.200 life of 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.539 Jesus. 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.539 Next week 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:16.879 here in 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:17.279 church as 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:17.619 the people 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.019 of God 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.359 we will 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:18.759 share 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.180 the Lord's 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:20.500 Supper. 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.019 Taking us 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.659 back to 00:19:23.659 --> 00:19:24.339 the last 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:24.779 supper that 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.480 Jesus shared 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:25.779 with his 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.680 disciples before 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.279 the cross 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.579 where he 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.500 took the 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:28.980 bread and 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.359 the wine 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.059 as symbols 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.919 of his 00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:31.339 body 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.299 broken 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:32.779 and his 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.200 blood 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.279 shed 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.879 for sin 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:36.700 and for 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:37.099 sinners. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.799 A reminder 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.159 that at 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.879 the cross 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:40.660 Jesus dies 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.860 for our 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:42.180 sin. 00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:43.120 Jesus dies 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.640 for us 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.760 choosing to 00:19:44.760 --> 00:19:45.260 live without 00:19:45.260 --> 00:19:45.880 reference 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:47.220 to him. 00:19:49.260 --> 00:19:50.420 He dies 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:50.860 for that 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.380 sin of 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:51.820 choosing 00:19:51.820 --> 00:19:52.400 false 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.200 saviors 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.080 for 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:54.680 ourselves. 00:19:56.060 --> 00:19:57.320 He dies 00:19:57.320 --> 00:19:58.000 for our 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:58.380 false 00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:58.860 worship 00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.260 where we 00:19:59.260 --> 00:19:59.740 choose to 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.260 live for 00:20:00.260 --> 00:20:00.900 other things 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.860 rather than 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.780 the glory 00:20:02.780 --> 00:20:03.460 of God. 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:03.500 God. 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.240 And the 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:06.940 result of 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:08.400 that death 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:08.900 in our 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.400 place and 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:09.759 for our 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.120 sins is 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:10.559 that by 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.640 faith we 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.140 can be 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:13.299 reconciled 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.100 to the 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.579 living God. 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.279 That barrier 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.840 of sin 00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:17.299 is broken. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:17.799 That we 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.360 can be 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:19.120 welcomed 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:20.160 into the 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:20.860 family of 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.079 God. 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:21.420 We can 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.620 be adopted 00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:23.600 as sons 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.460 and daughters 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.100 of the 00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:25.519 king with 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:27.299 all the 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:27.960 promises 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.420 that comes 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.799 with that. 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.579 Here we 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.340 are reminded 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:34.599 that God 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.099 in the 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:35.459 Bible 00:20:35.459 --> 00:20:36.500 offers us 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.459 the kind 00:20:37.459 --> 00:20:38.439 of relationship 00:20:38.439 --> 00:20:38.980 that we 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.699 all long 00:20:39.699 --> 00:20:40.019 for and 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:40.819 perhaps spend 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.399 all of our 00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:42.339 lives looking 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:42.879 for. 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.459 Here is 00:20:45.459 --> 00:20:46.039 one who 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.319 will love 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.279 us. 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.039 Here is 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.459 one who 00:20:49.459 --> 00:20:50.819 knows our 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.319 weaknesses, 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.299 knows everything 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:52.839 about us, 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.579 yet still 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.619 moves towards 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.259 us rather 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:55.859 than running 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:57.539 from us. 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.899 Here is 00:20:58.899 --> 00:20:59.279 one who 00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.839 promises 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:01.579 always to 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.419 be there 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.340 for us 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:04.060 in life 00:21:04.060 --> 00:21:05.600 and in 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:05.900 death. 00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:07.539 Here is 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:07.940 the kind 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.380 of love 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.440 that moves 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:09.840 us and 00:21:09.840 --> 00:21:10.880 causes us 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:12.000 to be 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.720 better people 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.600 as he 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:14.000 puts his 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.560 spirit in 00:21:14.560 --> 00:21:14.980 us. 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.560 So he 00:21:17.560 --> 00:21:18.259 offers us a 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.560 covenant 00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:19.180 relationship. 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:19.519 And who 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:19.920 is this 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.300 covenant 00:21:20.300 --> 00:21:21.019 for? 00:21:21.580 --> 00:21:22.000 Well in 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.539 verse 6 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.100 we're told 00:21:23.100 --> 00:21:23.940 it's a 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:24.180 covenant 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.340 for the 00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:25.759 people. 00:21:27.060 --> 00:21:27.539 In 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.220 verse 1 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.580 there's a 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.160 reminder that 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.600 the servant 00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:30.840 comes for 00:21:30.840 --> 00:21:31.820 the nations. 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:32.920 In 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:33.660 verse 4 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.960 this servant 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.279 is the 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.980 one that 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.840 the islands 00:21:36.840 --> 00:21:37.340 will put 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:37.800 their hope 00:21:37.800 --> 00:21:38.019 in. 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:38.680 The islands 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:38.960 is a 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.460 picture of 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.480 the remote 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:40.980 places. 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:41.380 In other 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.600 words this 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:43.240 covenant, 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:43.980 this promise 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.700 of relationship 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.259 is for 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.779 anyone, 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.500 is for 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.220 everyone 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:48.940 who will 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.440 turn from 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.519 sin and 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.640 trust in 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.900 Jesus as 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.759 Savior. 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:54.759 So there's 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.759 this wonderful 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.440 picture of the 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.180 servant coming to 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.220 bring relationship 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.279 but also 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.339 coming to 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.480 bring restoration. 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:02.980 To pick up on 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.579 the language of 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.360 verses 6 and 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.120 7 that in 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:05.579 place of 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:07.220 darkness he 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.600 will bring 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:08.200 light. 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.360 In place of 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:10.740 blindness he 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.120 will bring 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:11.660 sight. 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.960 In place of 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:14.620 captivity and 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:15.960 misery the 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.779 servant of the 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.339 Lord will 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:19.019 bring freedom. 00:22:20.600 --> 00:22:22.120 This powerful 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:24.100 Savior, this 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:26.279 gentle Savior 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.980 offers to 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.660 us hope and 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:32.579 healing beyond 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:34.200 our failures. 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:35.839 You know 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.579 yourself, I 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.440 know myself, you 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.099 know the stuff 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:38.839 that lurks in 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.559 our past that 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.519 causes us grief 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.259 and sorrow and 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:41.920 keeps us awake 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:42.319 at night. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.440 There is hope 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:45.359 beyond that. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.180 There is hope 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:49.119 beyond our bad 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.599 choices. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.279 Those bad 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.339 choices do not 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.859 need to define 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.399 us. 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:55.660 we can be 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.100 defined by our 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:58.519 being in 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.500 Christ and 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.240 having hope 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.240 in him. 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:01.860 There is hope 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:03.120 beyond guilt and 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:04.640 shame through 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:06.620 this servant. 00:23:08.540 --> 00:23:09.259 This was the 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.440 manifesto of 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.420 Jesus to come 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.519 and to restore 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.519 lives that were 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.640 broken and 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.100 hurting. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.840 When Jesus as a 00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:17.680 visiting preacher 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:19.120 came back to his 00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:19.880 hometown in 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.700 Nazareth, he was 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.820 invited to pick up a 00:23:21.820 --> 00:23:22.700 scroll and to read 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.360 and to teach. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.920 In Luke 4, we are 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.860 told that he read 00:23:25.860 --> 00:23:26.539 from Isaiah. 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.160 He read from Isaiah 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.740 61. 00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:30.420 Let me read the 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:32.019 verses there. 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:33.220 The spirit of the 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.559 sovereign Lord is 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:36.360 on me because the 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.600 Lord has anointed me 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.440 to preach good 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.319 news to the poor. 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:41.080 He has sent me to 00:23:41.080 --> 00:23:41.840 bind up the 00:23:41.840 --> 00:23:43.380 brokenhearted, to 00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:44.420 proclaim freedom 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.460 for the captives, 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.940 and release from 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.960 darkness for the 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:49.100 prisoners, to 00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:50.920 proclaim the year 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:52.160 of the Lord's 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.500 favor. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.279 Jesus said, 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.279 this is speaking 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.900 about me. 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.539 This is what I've 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.200 come to do. 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.819 I've come to 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.660 restore. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.680 And his public 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.420 ministry, if you 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.299 read the Gospels, 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.140 read the Gospels, 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.980 and it's evidence 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.559 of that kind of 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:03.960 ministry. 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.980 And his death on 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:06.839 the cross serves as 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.359 the ultimate 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.519 demonstration of that 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.680 reality where Jesus 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:11.660 himself is broken 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:13.859 and he is crushed 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:15.880 so that we can be 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.440 made new. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.839 His death is the 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.559 price of our 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:20.900 redemption and new 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.319 life. 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:24.439 last reason why we 00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:25.359 should follow Jesus 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.179 or keep following 00:24:26.179 --> 00:24:27.419 Jesus is connected 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:30.059 to his glory. 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.039 It takes us to 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.939 verses 8 and 9. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.159 Why does God send 00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:35.379 the servant of the 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:35.519 Lord? 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.500 Why does he send the 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.759 one that he loves? 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.539 Why does he send 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.240 this one who will 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.599 establish God's reign 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.220 of justice? 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:42.619 Why does he send 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.679 this one who gently 00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:45.480 deals with people, 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.659 who establishes this 00:24:46.659 --> 00:24:47.779 covenant of life and 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.460 peace and brings 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:50.179 restoration and healing? 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:51.680 And we discover 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:53.519 ultimately it's for 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:56.120 his glory. 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.880 I am the Lord. 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.880 That is my name. 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:03.120 I will not give my 00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:05.220 glory to another or my 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.460 praise to idols. 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:09.120 The servant's coming is 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:10.799 connected to God having 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.660 the glory that is due 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:14.320 his name. 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.640 God's goal is that he 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:17.060 receive the praise that 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.019 he deserves as our 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:20.480 creator and as our 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.200 redeemer. 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.619 And that's why in this 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:24.519 section 41 to 46 so 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:26.359 often he's contrasting 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:28.359 his glory versus the 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:30.619 worthlessness of idols. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:32.500 So in verse 9, another 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:34.440 example, God knows and 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.500 controls the future 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:37.200 unlike the idols. 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:39.059 Jesus will come as 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:40.200 promised just as other 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:42.399 deliverers had come as 00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.240 promised. 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:45.259 Here is God calling the 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.440 people to recognize that 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:48.259 we can pin our hopes on 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:50.879 many things but 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:52.440 ultimately Jesus is our 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:55.299 only hope in life and 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.879 in death. 00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:59.640 And what we discover in the 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:02.119 New Testament is that 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:04.240 Jesus comes to reveal, to 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:06.740 display the glory of God 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.680 to us. 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.379 We start looking midweek in 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.680 the book of Colossians and 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:13.500 we read that he is, Jesus is, 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.940 the image of the invisible 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:15.539 God. 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:17.720 That the fullness of God is 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.680 found in him. 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.579 So when it comes to the 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:21.839 servant, there is no 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.960 rivalry here because this 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:28.819 servant is the son of God. 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:31.359 So he deserves all praise 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:32.940 and glory. 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.500 When Jesus was contemplating 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.740 the cross, he prayed, 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:39.160 Father, glorify your name. 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.519 Bring glory to yourself 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:42.099 through the cross. 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.740 And the answer comes from 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.079 heaven. 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:47.219 I have glorified it and I 00:26:47.219 --> 00:26:49.339 will glorify it again. 00:26:49.439 --> 00:26:51.219 The cross is the revelation 00:26:51.219 --> 00:26:53.419 of the glory of God that he 00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:55.339 can satisfy justice against 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:58.259 sin and be loving and extend 00:26:58.259 --> 00:27:01.500 grace to sinners like us. 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:03.459 The center of Christianity is 00:27:03.459 --> 00:27:06.099 the loving kindness of God and 00:27:06.719 --> 00:27:09.259 eternally planning to send his 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:11.519 son Jesus to rescue us from sin. 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:13.460 Not so that we would get praise, 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:16.579 but so that he would get praise 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.619 and glory. 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:21.660 We are called to follow Jesus 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:23.879 because when we look at him, 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.980 when we look into his face, 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:28.559 we see, as Paul says, the glory of 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:30.639 God in the face of Jesus. 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:33.639 And we also see the glory of God 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:37.099 in his nail-pierced hands as he 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:39.920 goes to the cross in love to 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:43.279 rescue us, to redeem us, to 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:45.560 restore us to relationship. 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:48.519 So here is God saying to us, 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:51.800 here is why you are to keep 00:27:51.800 --> 00:27:52.779 following Jesus. 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.740 If you're not a Christian, to 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:56.820 begin following Jesus. 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:56.859 Jesus. 00:27:56.859 --> 00:28:26.839 Thank you.