My Servant
In our time and place, we probably think of having a servant with bad connotations. It takes us back to a time when people with too much money had people, who they kept well and truly in their place and subservient, doing tasks that they were quite capable of doing themselves. We only have to think of programmes such as Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs to see people being dressed, having their meals brought to them and served or generally being waited on hand and foot.
But a servant, in its most basic form is
a person who performs duties for others
And so Isaiah introduces us to The Lord’s Servant
Isaiah 42:1-9 (CEV)
The Lord’s Servant
42 Here is my servant!
I have made him strong.
He is my chosen one;
I am pleased with him.
I have given him my Spirit,
and he will bring justice
to the nations.
2 He won’t shout or yell
or call out in the streets.
3 He won’t break off a bent reed
or put out a dying flame,
but he will make sure
that justice is done.
4 He won’t quit or give up
until he brings justice
everywhere on earth,
and people in foreign nations
long for his teaching.
5 I am the Lord God.
I created the heavens
like an open tent above.
I made the earth and everything
that grows on it.
I am the source of life
for all who live on this earth,
so listen to what I say.
6 I chose you to bring justice,
and I am here at your side.
I selected and sent you
to bring light
and my promise of hope
to the nations.
7 You will give sight
to the blind;
you will set prisoners free
from dark dungeons.
8 My name is the Lord!
I won’t let idols or humans
share my glory and praise.
9 Everything has happened
just as I said it would;
now I will announce
what will happen next.
Here is One that God has chosen to do a task for him.
Not a menial task, or something that he could easily have done himself had he tried, but the one that God has selected as the bright light to bring his hope to the world; to ensure God’s justice and freedom is seen. This isn’t someone who is going to create a lot of noise or wreak damage, he isn’t going to destroy tiny flickers of light, he is going to work for God – and he won’t give up until the task is complete.
Of course, Isaiah is prophesying about The Messiah, God’s Chosen One – Jesus. And we recognise all that he came to do within this passage. But, we too are called to be God’s servants – to be people who perform duties for him.
We too are asked to protect the weak, bring life, shed God’s light, seek justice and set free those who are held down.
That is my task in the world, what God is calling me to do. Wherever I am, whatever pattern or form my life takes, that is my basic calling – to work for God in my place.
Lord,
I know that there is work to be done,
your work.
I want to work for you,
to do the things you ask of me;
to be someone
who bring life and light
where I go,
to protect the weak,
serve the vulnerable,
work for justice
and bring your freedom.
None of this I can do by my own,
so as I acknowledge that it is your work,
I pray for your strength,
your wisdom,
and your equipping power
We are called to be servants
Pam's Perambulation 
Amen!
And Jesus washed feet – most menial of all servant tasks – and told us to do likewise.
I suspect we miss the point if we over-spiritualize that command.
Often we are closest to His will when scrubbing floors, replacing light-bulbs, dusting nooks and crannies, running errands for one another.
And just as “he is going to work for God – and he won’t give up until the task is complete” may we also have the grace to keep on keeping on, however dark and dangerous the path becomes at times and however empty we feel.
This is true and leads into the New Testament reading
I shall await that with interest then, Pam. 🙂
Wednesday Dorothy 🙂 “God measures me only against what he asks of me”
ooer… given that I’ve spent the last week refusing to do what I’m told… #hangsheadinshame!
MInd you, now I’ve finally twigged that obedience is a good option (the consequences of disobedience really suck!) I’m awestruck by how, when I look back, I can now see God holding me safe all the while, like a parent with a stroppy 2-yr-old who’s determined to do something dangerous…
And I’m overwhelmed by the “no need to feel guilty – all I ask is repentance, i.e. turn from your way to Mine…”
He’s a bit good, that God of ours, don’t you reckon, Pam?
I speak to myself first and foremost 🙂
He is – and I am very grateful
🙂