The book of Isaiah has four sections that get called the “Servant Songs.” They get called that because they all begin with or incorporate the phrase “behold my servant.” They catch the ear because they make clear the purpose and method of the messiah. The later ones – Isaiah 50:4-9, Isaiah 52:13-53:12 – are more attuned to the Lent and Easter seasons with that last one practically carrying the season. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. (Isa. 53:3 ESV)” And yet it ends with not only the servant’s vindication, but his deliverance of many. “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isa. 53:11 ESV).” But the earlier ones – Isaiah 42:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-6 – are more attuned to Epiphany. The second one is about the servant as “the light for the nations (Isaiah 49:6)” which gets quoted both in Acts and reflected in Simeon’s song, The Nunc Dimittis. Our Old Testament Lesson today is the first of these songs and is clear about the purpose and method of the messiah.
The purpose of the messiah is “to bring forth justice to the nations.” Now I don’t think what we think about when we hear the word justice is all that different than what those ancient Israelites would have thought. ‘No Justice, No Peace” as the saying goes. And there is always clamor in the streets. And if not in the streets themselves, in the warfare – both the kind with bullets and the kind with ballots. Justice is a word that depends upon whether we want it for ourselves or for others. Justice for ourselves is give us something. Justice for others is take it from them or hurt them for me. And that is not to dismiss the hurts perpetrated that are injustice. Ancient Israel wanted vengeance against the nations. They wanted the restoration of the Kingdom and tribute to flow to them. So when God promises a servant who will bring forth justice to the nations, sweet catnip to the ears.
But the methods of this servant do not look anything like our justice. Unlike the clamor in the streets, “He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the streets.” We live in what is often called the attention economy. There are literally millions of people who are shouting into the void for your attention. I saw I believe a Pew survey of high schoolers asking what they wanted to be when they grew up. The number one answer was “youtube-er.” The servant sung about by Isaiah is literally the opposite of our influencers. The Spirit that rests upon him empowers the work. It starts as small as a mustard seed. It starts with calling 12 to follow. When you hear it, know that is your invitation. “The coastlands wait for his law (Isaiah 42:4).” Everything the servant does, he does in his own time. And you cannot rush it.
Unlike our justice which is usually lightly veneered revenge or about re-dividing a fixed amount of goods, this servant promises two things. “The bruised reed he will not break” and “he who created the heavens and stretched them out…will take you by the hand and keep you.” Our justice is so often about scarcity and fear. We parcel out death. But the Justice of the servant is bottomless. He brings life. “He gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk in it.” The Spirit that was upon him is given to us. The eyes that are blind see, the prisoners in the dungeon are brought out. Those who sit in darkness a light shines. And there is no limit to this uncreated light.
Matthew points out that this is exactly how Jesus worked (Matthew 12 which ends with a quote of this servant song). Our experience of justice in a fallen world is so distorted that this sounds fantastical. We’d never believe it if it came out of nowhere. When Jesus came it still felt like coming out of nowhere. But that too is part of the method. “The former things have come to pass and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them (Isaiah 42:9).” In the life of Israel we can see the workings of God. And God has told us in advance – “Behold – look – this is my servant.” God has told us what he intends to do which is save us. Bring his justice to the world. And he has told us what it will look like. It will look like peace and restoration and life. Not in the way of the world, but in the way of the Spirit.