Missions-in-Focus - Keynote 3: The Devoted and Learning Servant

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Br. Philip Svetlik The Servant Song in Isaiah 50:4-9 is like Isaiah 49 in that it is autobiographical, meaning that the Servant Himself is speaking. But the contrast is seen in the one to whom the song is addressed. The song in Isaiah 49 was addressed to the coastlands and the ends of the earth (Isa. 49:1, 6); but here in Isaiah 50:4 it is directed to him who is weary. This might remind us that the Servant who bears the title "Savior of the World" (Jn. 4:42) still made time to speak to individuals: Nicodemus (Jn. 3) the woman at the well (Jn. 4) blind Bartimaeus (Mk. 10) Zacchaeus (Lk. 19) The Servant's message was to the one who is weary (Isa. 50:4), which we clearly see in the Lord Jesus when He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Mt. 11:28-30). In this song we learn that discipline is the path to genuine servanthood. Here we see the voluntary commitment to Jehovah as a disciple or learner. We see the blessed Lord Jesus as the perfect Servant of God submitted to a training process. The very One who would have 12 disciples of His own was first a disciple Himself. This would remind us of what we read in Hebrews 5:8-9: "though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." There it is clearly speaking of His suffering, but we see His willing submission to learn. We further learn of the Servant's commitment to discipline. This is seen in the way He addresses God. Four times in this Servant Song we read of the "Lord GOD," meaning "Adonai Jehovah" (Isa. 50:4, 5, 7, 9). The authority stressed in this name is the basis of the Servant's submission. He willingly commits His pathway to the Sovereign Lord. We also see His submission in His disciplined tongue, the tongue of the learned (v. 4). The speech of the Lord Jesus was always in full subjection to the Father. "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things" (Jn. 8:28). The Lord Jesus was always in control of His speech, and others noticed (Luke 4:22; John 7:46, 12:49). Suggested focus: His commitment to obedience (v. 4) His commitment to suffering (vv. 5-6) His commitment based on His confidence in the Lord GOD (vv. 7-9) How His example should affect us with our tongues (James 3)

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