The Gospel and the Kingdom - Matthew - Jesus' Prophecies

TEXT: Matthew 12:15-21 – “But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. ¹⁶ Yet He warned them not to make Him known, ¹⁷ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ¹⁸ “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. ²⁰ A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; ²¹ And in His name Gentiles will trust.”

Let’s take a moment to read the passage in Isaiah 42:1-4.

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. ² He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. ³ A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. ⁴ He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”

We see Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming Messiah. Remember we have stated that Matthew is writing to the Jews to prove Jesus is the Messiah – the Christ. This passage in Isaiah speaks to the Messiah’s relationships and His earthly actions.

So, we need to consider in Matthew’s passage today – Jesus’ HEAVENLY RELATIONSHIPS. We see in the quoted prophecy a picture of the Trinity. Both Isaiah (and Matthew) tell us that the Father would love Him. We see that Jesus was the chosen suffering servant who came the first time to deliver us. The Greek word carries also the meaning of a child. The verb used here is an active word – it is in a tense that does not consider past, present, or Future.

He is God’s “Beloved” in these passages. God’s very Being is totally pleased with Him. It brings to mind what the Father says at His baptism and His transfiguration. He is God’s only begotten Son as John says in John 3:16.

Isaiah (and Matthew) speak to the fact that the Holy Spirit will fill Him. The Greek preposition used here carries the concept of being superimposed on. He is loved by the Father and filled with the Spirit. Again, picture the Baptism with the voice and the dove.

And in today’s passage, Matthew speaks about Jesus’ EARTHLY ACTIONS in connection with Isaiah’s prophecy.

We see His actions concerning the nations in verses 18c and 21. Toward the Gentiles (ethnos) – literally “nations” or anyone who is not a Jew, He will bring justice or what is right. And, because of this, the nations will have hope – that is a confident expectation of Him.

We also see His actions concerning Himself in verse 19. He will not be quarrelsome or rebellious. Like a “lamb led to the slaughter.” We have pictured His actions concerning the weak and hopeless in verse 20.

• ·      He would treat them with gentleness
• ·      He would show understanding.

Finally, we see His actions toward the sick in verse 15-17. He would heal the sick.

Tomorrow we will ponder over His Family Relationships as Matthews writes.