Why Was Jesus the Suffering Servant? - Matthew 12:15-21

Matthew 12:15-21 God’s Chosen Servant

15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 

Even though the Pharisees rejected Jesus, the crowds still came after him.  They recognized Jesus' power and authority.  Jesus' withdrawing from there was not because he was afraid of the opposition, but because he knew God's timing.  He waited on God's direction, not for the crowds or the Pharisees to do his bidding.  

Though Jesus' desire was to withdraw, it did not stop him from seeing the people who were sick, having compassion for them, and healing ALL of them.  

"This is one of the few references in the gospels of Jesus healing all on a specific occasion, yet it is important and appropriate here. Matthew wants us to know that the press of the crowd did not make Jesus impatient or angry. He also wants us to know that the determination of this crowd was evidence of their faith; therefore, all were healed." (Guzik)

16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 

"The hour of final conflict and suffering had not yet come, and Jesus would not hasten it. The clouds were gathering, but the night had not yet come, and He sought to work while it was yet day, and therefore (again giving an example of His own precept that His disciples should be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves,” Matthew 10:16) sought to avoid premature occasions of offence."

17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

Many of the prophecies about the Messiah come from Isaiah.  In chapters 42 and 53, the prophecies center on the Messiah being a "suffering servant", which many could not accept because they wanted a conquering and political Messiah.  

"Jesus the Servant is an example to us as servants, but He is so much more than that. He is our Servant. He serves us; not only in what He did in the past, but also He serves us every day through His constant love, care, guidance, and intercession. Jesus did not stop serving when He went to heaven; He serves all His people more effectively than ever from heaven." (Guzik)

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

Jesus served those whom He loved as an extension of God's love, but also Jesus the Messiah was a servant of God.  In the famous passsage in Philippians 2 says, "Jesus did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself and became a servant even to death on a cross."  

"Justice" also means "righteousness". In Jesus' day righteousness could only come to the Jews, but one of the ways Jesus served God was to bring salvation to the Gentiles.  

19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.

This doesn't mean Jesus never spoke loudly, but he has humble and gentle in his words and actions.  He never forced himself on anyone.  As a "servant leader", unlike other leaders of Jesus' day, he did not coerce people to follow him.  He invited them to follow and served them as part of the invitation.  

He was a not a violent revolutionary, but his was a revolution fueled by love. "Let us lay aside contentious and angry debates; let us receive one another as Christ receives us. And while encouraged by the gracious kindness of our Lord, we should pray that his Spirit may rest upon us, and make us able to copy his example." 

20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.

Again this is a reference to Jesus' humility and gentleness.  To those who were broken, he offered healing.  To the marginalized he offered a place.  To the sick he was the great physician. To the woman caught in adultery, he took away her shame.  To the woman who had five husbands, he taught her to find meaning in Him.  Jesus opposed the proud and gave grace to the humble.  

21     In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Since the time of Abraham, God's plan was for Israel to be a blessing to many nations.  God chose Israel to be the True Vine and bear fruit by revealing God's love to the world.  Jesus showed that God's love for the whole world. God did not want any to perish but all to come to the knowledge of the truth!

What stereotypes did Jesus break as a leader?  Why are good leaders servants?  Why was it hard for people to accept a Messiah who was a suffering servant?  Who do you lead, and do you do it with a servant's heart?