Mat 12:18 | KingComments | STEP | The secret deliberations of the Pharisees are known to the Omniscient. That is why He departs from there. His departure does not go unnoticed. Many crowds follow Him. Toward them, He continues to act in grace and heals all who need healing. He warns them that they will not tell Who He is. He doesn’t want, through His deeds, to win the popularity of the people that Pharisees love so much. He is always busy before the eye of His Father Who sees in secret. He does not seek honor from people. By acting in this way He fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah who has announced Him as such. The LORD, Yahweh , spoke to Isaiah about His chosen Servant ( ), that is the Lord Jesus. He even calls this Servant “My Beloved”. Between Yahweh and the Servant there is not only a relationship of obedience, but also of love. The Lord Jesus knows the love the Father has for Him. This makes His service for Him a true joy, even though it is also met with murder plans among the leaders and incomprehension among the crowds. He knows the pleasure that Yahweh has found in Him through His life, which is fully devoted to Him. This has been clear from the outset. Therefore Yahweh put His Spirit upon Him ( ). Here we see the joy of the triune God: the Father puts His Spirit upon His Son. On the basis of this pleasure and the Spirit which the Father has given him, Christ has the right to proclaim judgment, not only over Israel but over all nations. It points to His dominion over all nations as a result of the rejection by His people. As far as his conduct at the moment is concerned, it is completely different. He is now still the Man in humiliation. He goes His way in humility, without wanting to cause a stir. He is not crying for attention. It is completely different. He has paid attention to all those who are at the point of breaking or extinguishing. There is nothing of value in “a battered reed” ( ). “A battered reed” is reminiscent of the broken heart that has been trampled underfoot by rough handling. But from this battered reed he is able to make a musical instrument or a yardstick for the new Jerusalem ( ). He has come for those who are broken-hearted ( ). He imposes no iron rod upon them, but grants them the golden scepter of His grace. He Himself is broken or battered ( ; ). “A smoldering wick” hardly gives any light or warmth and is no longer able to light another wick. Often the love in our hearts burns so weakly that only He Who knows all things also knows that there is still a glimmer of love present ( ). Here we see His loving care for us now and that may encourage us. If we sometimes feel like a battered reed, only suitable to be completely broken, or we feel that our light is so poorly lit, let us think of His desires for us. We may go to Him to be renewed in grace and restored in strength. Only when He has fully accomplished His work of humiliation will He not only proclaim the judgment, but also execute it. A perfect victory will be the glorious and perfect result of His work in humiliation. The nations who are spared will hope in His Name. Both the remnant of Israel and the spared nations will recognize that all blessing depends on Him and on their attitude toward Him. This situation will arise when He comes to earth for the second time. Then He does not come in humiliation as the first time, but in power and majesty.

‏ Matthew 12:18

Behold, My Servant

The secret deliberations of the Pharisees are known to the Omniscient. That is why He departs from there. His departure does not go unnoticed. Many crowds follow Him. Toward them, He continues to act in grace and heals all who need healing. He warns them that they will not tell Who He is. He doesn’t want, through His deeds, to win the popularity of the people that Pharisees love so much.

He is always busy before the eye of His Father Who sees in secret. He does not seek honor from people. By acting in this way He fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah who has announced Him as such. The LORD, Yahweh, spoke to Isaiah about His chosen Servant (Isa 42:1-4), that is the Lord Jesus. He even calls this Servant “My Beloved”. Between Yahweh and the Servant there is not only a relationship of obedience, but also of love.

The Lord Jesus knows the love the Father has for Him. This makes His service for Him a true joy, even though it is also met with murder plans among the leaders and incomprehension among the crowds. He knows the pleasure that Yahweh has found in Him through His life, which is fully devoted to Him. This has been clear from the outset. Therefore Yahweh put His Spirit upon Him (Mt 3:16).

Here we see the joy of the triune God: the Father puts His Spirit upon His Son. On the basis of this pleasure and the Spirit which the Father has given him, Christ has the right to proclaim judgment, not only over Israel but over all nations. It points to His dominion over all nations as a result of the rejection by His people.

As far as his conduct at the moment is concerned, it is completely different. He is now still the Man in humiliation. He goes His way in humility, without wanting to cause a stir. He is not crying for attention. It is completely different. He has paid attention to all those who are at the point of breaking or extinguishing.

There is nothing of value in “a battered reed” (Isa 36:6). “A battered reed” is reminiscent of the broken heart that has been trampled underfoot by rough handling. But from this battered reed he is able to make a musical instrument or a yardstick for the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:15). He has come for those who are broken-hearted (Isa 61:1). He imposes no iron rod upon them, but grants them the golden scepter of His grace. He Himself is broken or battered (Isa 53:5 ; 10; Gen 3:15).

“A smoldering wick” hardly gives any light or warmth and is no longer able to light another wick. Often the love in our hearts burns so weakly that only He Who knows all things also knows that there is still a glimmer of love present (Jn 21:17b).

Here we see His loving care for us now and that may encourage us. If we sometimes feel like a battered reed, only suitable to be completely broken, or we feel that our light is so poorly lit, let us think of His desires for us. We may go to Him to be renewed in grace and restored in strength.

Only when He has fully accomplished His work of humiliation will He not only proclaim the judgment, but also execute it. A perfect victory will be the glorious and perfect result of His work in humiliation. The nations who are spared will hope in His Name. Both the remnant of Israel and the spared nations will recognize that all blessing depends on Him and on their attitude toward Him. This situation will arise when He comes to earth for the second time. Then He does not come in humiliation as the first time, but in power and majesty.