Day 36 April 07

Day 36 April 07

Passage: Isaiah 52:13-53:3 Servant of God (I)

Who is the Servant of God? Is it Israel? Is it one of the Prophets? Both are possibilities. But what is important is not focusing on a particular subject, but in expressing the inspired effects from what happened to such a servant. And because of such effects, when it came to the New Testament times, such a theological understanding can also point towards Jesus, as well as the Church (see 1 Peter 2:21-22). This effect is that the Servant was able to fulfill God’s entrusted mission according to God’s way and insight. The Servant’s mission was to reconcile men to God. Not only did the Servant accomplish this, the effects startled many nations. He was like a priest of the nations, spattering them with blood and cleansing them. They used to ignore God. But upon seeing how God’s Servant was exalted, they were silenced (see Psalm 2). This is a heart-rendering story that is beyond imagination. So the story went viral, and the world was impressed and converted by this testimony.

The story started practically unnoticed, but that was precisely the key to this character. God did not call an outlandish figure to put on an impressive performance. Instead he elected an ordinary looking person as his starting point. This seems in line with God’s usual style. Israel was weak among the nations. Nobody has a clue as to the appearances of the Prophets, whether Isaiah or Jeremiah. But because of how ordinary this man was, when he was glorified at the end, it accentuated the extraordinary work of God. From his initial simplicity, we can confirm that it was not due to his own special qualities, but rather God’s sanctified use of this man, that he might accomplish such a mission beyond him. Not only was he ordinary, he was downtrodden. Whether it was the attack of illnesses or troubles, or we might even assume that he brought this upon himself. But to our surprise, this was the precursor to the great twist in the story.

Prayer: The Servant of God met with troubles and pain. But Lord, when your will is accomplished, we are awed by your ways.

第三十六天 Apr 07

经文：以赛亚书 52:13-53:3
神的仆人（上）神的仆人是谁？是以色列？还是其中一位先知？两者都有可能。但重点并不在于锁定某个对象，而是在于表达这样一位仆人的遭遇所启发而来的效果。也因为如此的效果，这套神学了解到了新约时代，神的仆人也可指向耶稣，也同时指向教会（参彼前2：21-22）。这效果也就是这仆人按神的方式与智慧，成功地完成了神所托付的使命。神的仆人的使命当然就是要使人回转向神，与神和好。这仆人不单完成了这个，其效果甚至震撼列国。他就像一个万国万邦的祭司一样，洒出的血把他们都洁净了一番。这群过去根本无视耶和华的君王，最后看到神的仆人如此被高举，忽然变得哑口无言（可参诗篇2篇）。这就是一个匪夷所思，却又感人肺腑的传奇故事。所以一传十，十传百，万人都被这一份见证所折服了。

故事的开始平淡无奇，但也就是这个人物的特点。耶和华没找一个锋芒毕露的角色来炫耀一场，反而是拣选了一个其貌不扬的人为起点。这似乎就是神一贯的作风。以色列在列国中是微弱的民族。众先知的样貌不论是以赛亚或耶利米，无人知晓。但就因为这人的平凡，反而到了末了得荣耀时，更凸显了神的超凡作为。我们可以从这平凡中确认，不是因为这人本身有什么特质，而是当神分别为圣地使用一个人，这人就能完成超越自己的大使命。这人不单平凡，而且潦倒。不论是体弱多病，还是陷入多灾多难的处境，甚至还让人误以为他是罪有应得。但殊不知，这都是为了故事大逆转的铺陈。

祷告：耶和华的仆人如此的多灾多难，超过我们能想象与明白的!但是最终让祢的心意完成，主，我们觉得眼睛一亮。