Advent Season
(Anticipating the Birth of Jesus)
28 Names of Jesus
December 14, 2020
Name #13: “Servant”
“Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand” (Isaiah 52:13 – 15).
In the verses above, Jesus is presented as a wise servant. The Hebrew word used here for servant, ebed, points to the success that Jesus would have in His mission of bringing salvation to the world. In this verse, Isaiah references the incredible suffering Jesus would endure, and the joy that would erupt because of His sacrifice for those who believe.
When I think of the word “joy” in reference to the cross, I am reminded of the insight the writer of Hebrews gives us about the future joy for all believers that Jesus embraced as he made his way to the cross. Hebrews 12:1 – 2 mirror the words of Isaiah as he writes about the cruelness of the cross and the joy of Jesus being exalted as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In these verses, the truth of Christ’s sacrifice and exaltation are combined to encourage believers to stand firm in their faith.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1 – 2).
In the first chapter of Luke, we see two women overjoyed because of the part God called them to play in bringing two men into the world who would make an eternal impact. Elizabeth was carrying a baby already filled with the Holy Spirit. John was going to be used by God to prepare the way for his cousin, Jesus. Mary was carrying the Savior of the world. Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel at the end of their conversation speaks to her heart and focus on the mission ahead. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
As Luke continues through the chapter, he switches scenes rapidly and we enter a discussion between two incredible women (Luke 1:39 – 45). As Mary enters Elizabeth’s house something extraordinary happens: her baby leaps in her womb and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. We know that John already was filled with the Holy Spirit because of the angel’s insight given to his father Zechariah (Luke 1:15). What a moment for the two ladies! Elizabeth then proclaims,
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:42 – 45).
In this moment, Elizabeth celebrates Mary’s presence in her home, the joy it brought, and the faith of Mary in the journey. These moments must have been so affirming for both of these women as they embraced their calling together.
Luke 1 ends with Mary’s Magnificat. As she begins her poem of praise, she displays her heart attitude: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant” (Luke 1:46 – 48).
It is apparent that God was at work in her heart and she had made the choice to obey. She heard God’s call on her life to be the mother of the Messiah when Gabriel explained it to her (Luke 1:26 – 37). Mary believed that God was at work, and her cousin affirmed her in the calling and belief (Luke 1:43, 45). She obeyed God and gave birth to Jesus in the most humbling of circumstances. She modeled servanthood in extreme moments for all of us as the mother of Jesus.
The journey ahead for Mary was a roller coaster, but she was ready for her role. She even had Jesus — who modeled servanthood — not only as her Son, but as her Savior. She watched him emerge as the suffering servant who would change the world.
This Christmas, we can all put on the apron of a servant and seek opportunities to serve the people around us. It is the calling of every believer to be available to the call of God and step into people’s lives and ask them, “How can I help you?” Today, take time to look around and step into a need in someone’s life that God has called you to meet. I promise, it will be a blessing for you and them, and will bring glory to God! To get you moving, here are some motivating words from Jesus:
” . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Pastor Chuck