Daily Devotions
40 Days and 40 Nights
"Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently..."
Text: Isaiah 52:13
THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE MESSIAH’S MISSION ON EARTH
There were many things that the Messiah-Servant was given to fulfil. If we may speak of having an ultimate goal, then Isaiah 52-53 must be read carefully.
“Behold, My servant shall deal prudently;
He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
Just as many were astonished at you,
So His visage was marred more than any man,
And His form more than the sons of men;
So shall He sprinkle many nations.
Kings shall shut their mouths at Him;
For what had not been told them they shall see,
And what they had not heard they shall consider.”
Isaiah 52:13-15
1. “Behold, My Servant”
a) The Messiah would be the LORD’s Servant to the very end.
b) This was noted and appreciated by the Apostle Paul in the famous “kenosis text” (Kenosis – “emptying”). (Philippians 2:5-11)
2. “He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high”
a) The Apostle noted this too.
b) God has given a name above every name to the Lord Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11).
3. However, not everyone understood the Lord Jesus
a) Many were astonished at His teaching.
b) But His visage was marred (a reference to the severe torture Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate).
4. He shall sprinkle many nations
a) This is a reference to the work of cleansing that Jesus would do.
b) His death would result in the sprinkling-clean of many.
c) The impact of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ would be world-wide!
PREPARATION FOR SUFFERING
The sojourn of 40 Days and 40 Nights would have been an important preparatory period for the Lord Jesus Christ!
1. Mental and spiritual preparation would be needed.
2. Understanding and fulfilment of His ultimate goal.
3. A special fortifying by the Holy Spirit.
Much was at stake. The salvation plan of God must not fail. The Messiah-Servant must be strong!