February 18, 2004

THE CHOSEN SERVANT

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations" (Isaiah 42:1, NIV).

This is the portrait of the gospel prophet concerning Christ, the Servant-Messiah. In sharp contrast with the accepted expectations of a regal Messiah accompanied by all the pomp and trappings of royalty, Christ came to earth in the form of a humble servant (see Philippians 2:6, 8). Even the disciples found the Servant-Messiah concept difficult to grasp. No messianic title is so intricately interwoven into the fabric of the incarnation of Christ as this one. Isaiah's Servant-Messiah prophecies point to the fulfillment of God's transcendent purpose in the plan of redemption.

God selected Jesus as the only qualified being in the universe to fill the Servant-Messiah role, Jesus condescended to come to earth as a bond servant in human form and die to redeem fallen humanity. By voluntarily leaving the splendor of heaven to suffer as a servant, Christ ensured the redemption of all who believe (see Philippians 2:8-10). He came as the Father's representative to demonstrate the true meaning of servanthood. The chief servant once declared that He "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28, NIV). The principle of self-sacrifice was demonstrated at the Last Supper by the institution of the basin and the towel (see John 13:5-12). It was exemplified in His selfless ministry of service and finally in His death on the cross.

Of Christ's servanthood, Ellen White wrote: "He left the royal courts and condescended to clothe His divinity with humanity, that by His condescension and His example of self-sacrifice He might teach us how we may become elevated to the position of sons and daughters of the royal family, children of the heavenly King."--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 566.

My Prayer Today: Lord, while I may not fully comprehend the depth of Christ's servanthood, help me to be more like Him. Amen.