The Servant is...
Illustration
Object:
The Servant is to be called the light to the nations (vv. 6-7). We need to shed some light on the subject -- some light on our sense of the darkness and chaos of our unjust circumstances. According to 2012 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings for full-time working women were $712, compared to $854 for men. In 2009 the U.S. Department of Justice estimated that African Americans made up 39.4% of the prison population. Less than 25% of the American public attends church more than once a month.
Only the light of Christ can turn things around. It is like Martin Luther King Jr. once wrote: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
Of course, the reference to being light to the nations could also refer to the chosen people of God, to us. Christ comes to light us up with his light, to help the rest of America to see the injustices they have missed, to be led away from their spiritual darkness and wanderings. John Wesley so profoundly reflected on what this shining light is like and how it might make a difference:
Let your light so shine: You lowliness of heart; your gentleness, and meekness of wisdom; your serious, weighty concern for the things of eternity, and sorrow for the sins and miseries of men… your tender good-will to all mankind, and fervent love to your supreme benefactor.
(Works, Vol. 5, pp. 308-309)
God has made us like the Hollywood lights that shine on the stars. The stars don't turn on the lights. Someone else (God) does that. But lights only shine on stars. God has made us stars -- stars who can get a lot of attention from the world and make a difference with all our (spiritual) notoriety.
Only the light of Christ can turn things around. It is like Martin Luther King Jr. once wrote: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
Of course, the reference to being light to the nations could also refer to the chosen people of God, to us. Christ comes to light us up with his light, to help the rest of America to see the injustices they have missed, to be led away from their spiritual darkness and wanderings. John Wesley so profoundly reflected on what this shining light is like and how it might make a difference:
Let your light so shine: You lowliness of heart; your gentleness, and meekness of wisdom; your serious, weighty concern for the things of eternity, and sorrow for the sins and miseries of men… your tender good-will to all mankind, and fervent love to your supreme benefactor.
(Works, Vol. 5, pp. 308-309)
God has made us like the Hollywood lights that shine on the stars. The stars don't turn on the lights. Someone else (God) does that. But lights only shine on stars. God has made us stars -- stars who can get a lot of attention from the world and make a difference with all our (spiritual) notoriety.
