SABBATH MATTHEW QUOTES ISAIAH THE PROPHET This text is largely a quote from the First Servant Song in the writings of the Prophet Isaiah. These four songs uncannily describe the passion and suffering of Jesus and so, from very early on, the Fathers of the Church have often seen them as prophecies about the Redeemer who eventually came in the person of Christ. They are well worth reading in this respect so here are the others: Isaiah 49:1-6; 50:4-9a and 52:13-53:12. Scripture scholars do not strictly consider them messianic in nature, as they do not explicitly speak about the Davidic kingship. However, spiritually, this is a legitimate interpretation. Matthew believes they refer to Jesus and he uses them to explain the opposition that Jesus encounters in His ministry. After all, the Prophet Isaiah predicted it, and we all know how important a prophet he is. Let us focus on one aspect of the text, namely on how the servant will be empowered by the Spirit of God. This mention of the Spirit is a reminder to us that the Spirit of God is a silent partner in the preparatory work for the coming of the Messiah. He is mentioned from time to time and plays an important role in the ministries and lives of a few of the Old Testament figures, such as Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and a few others. However, the Spirit really comes into His own in the preaching of Jesus, where He places the Spirit at the center of our relationship with God — the Advocate who always pleads our cause. The Holy Spirit becomes even more active in the life of the Early Church and in their understanding of how the followers of Jesus are empowered to live and proclaim the Gospel. It is important that we recognize the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life as well. It is the Spirit of God who is the expression of the love between the Father and the Son — the essence of their relationship becomes so tangible that He is described in the Third Person of the Trinity. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How is your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Are you living your life under His grace and power or are you trying to live under your own power? Holy Spirit, come into my life in a more powerful way so that I will be a better disciple of Jesus. Help me to surrender more and more to You each day.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 05:03:38 +0000
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