The Humility of God: Our Servant KingSample

Day 3: The Servant for the World 

At first, this chapter of Isaiah's prophecy seems unclear as to who the servant is. Is it Israel itself, or personified as Isaiah the prophet himself? But as Jesus Himself said, echoing these verses, 'I am the light of the world'. These seem almost arrogant words for a humble servant to proclaim. 

Jesus, however, is the ultimate civil servant, who instead of lording it over His people, fleecing the flock, He provides for those who come to Him to be served and to serve. This is the mystery of Christ: that He whom we should all serve has humbled Himself to serve us. 

Although we all appreciate good service, we tend to look down on those who serve us, as though we are better than them for being served. But what is better, to passively be served or to actively serve? God isn't some passive egotist in the sky, waiting for us to serve Him. He is the Servant King who in humility serves us salvation when we deserve condemnation for our rebellion against Him. 

The last verse of our passage is powerful in how it points to our Servant King. When He says He's engraved us on the palms of His hands, He's not just being poetic. He literally has scars on His hands where He was nailed to a cross to serve us by giving His life as a ransom for our sins. 

'Almighty Lord, how humbling it is to consider Your service of us. May we serve You gladly all of our days, following Your example until we enter Your eternal rest. For Your honor and praise, amen.' 

Sometimes it's hard to receive service, especially salvation from Jesus because it requires us to humbly admit our sin - are you willing to be served by Him?