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 Israel
was called “servant” (Isa. 41:8-9; 45:4); but in Messianic
prophecies the word took on special meaning. Isa. 42:1-7 reads,
“Behold my servant, whom I behold; my chosen, in whom my soul
delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth
justice to the Gentiles.... to open the blind eyes, to bring out
the prisoners from the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness
out of the prison-house.” In Matt. 12:15-21 this is directly
applied to Jesus Christ.
The
“Servant” of Isa. 49:5-7 is clearly the “chosen” Christ;
and this thought is carried on in Isa. 52:13 and in the well
known Messianic words of Isa. 53; (v. 11). Israel was the “servant”
of God who rejected Him; but Christ was the rejected “Servant”
whom God glorified. Peter seems to make this very contrast in
Acts 3:13. (See American Standard. The word here is paida
as used in Isaiah’s prophecies; not huios, usually used
for Son of God.) Peter is saying these Jews denied the
chosen Servant whom God sent as their Savior.
As
in all other roles assigned to the Son of God, this chosen
Servant occupies the highest position, example for all servants,
glorifying service. When Peter exhorts servants to be subject to
their masters “for conscience toward God,” he reminds them
that “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that
we should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:18 -25). The very name
takes on a new and exalted significance when applied to the “Shepherd
and Bishop” of souls. As king, He is King of Kings; and as
servant, He is Servant of Servants.
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Again,
in the prophecies “elect” or “chosen” are related to “Servant”;
and Peter says Christ was “foreordained before the foundation
of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.. .“
(1 Pet. 1:20). Paul calls this the “eternal purpose which he
purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:11). Did God “elect”
or foreordain any individual? Yes, indeed! Deity
elected the Son of God, clothed in flesh, to be the Chosen
Servant who would bring light and salvation to both Jews and
Gentiles. He is the elect ONE, and those who come to Him in
faith are elect in Jesus Christ.
When
Paul writes of the “remnant according to the election of grace”
(Rom. 11:5), he explains himself by showing that Jewish people
who put their trust in Christ — and Gentiles who put their
trust in Christ —- are alike saved. The salvation “tree”
(so to speak) is not national, nor is it a fixed number of
individuals. (“If God spared not the natural branches, take
heed lest he also spare not thee” (v.21). Jews who lack faith
are cast out; Gentiles who believe are grafted in; unbelievers
who become believers can be grafted in again; believers who
become unbelievers will be cast out (Rom. 11:17-24).
Grace
provides the means of redemption, by electing the ONE who
would die for all mankind. This Servant, Jesus Christ, is
available for all who will trust in Him. But John Doe’s place,
and Mary Smith’s place among the “elect” ones, is
dependent upon the faith of John Doe and Mary Smith. Christ is
the perfect Servant. Are you a faithful servant of His?
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