GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

JESUS CHRIST – JEHOVAH'S SERVANT
Christ Our Mediator The Servant Of God
Matthew 12:14-21

Don Fortner

In the first part of this chapter our Lord Jesus demonstrated his eternal Deity and his great dignity as God, both by declaring himself to be Lord even of the Sabbath and by healing the man with a withered hand. In the passage now before us the Holy Spirit shows us our Savior's great humiliation as Jehovah's Servant, while at the same time demonstrating him to be himself Jehovah God and our great Savior.

Matthew Henry wrote, in his introduction to this paragraph, "As in the midst of Christ's greatest humiliations there were proofs of his dignity, so in the midst of his greatest honors, he gave proofs of his humility; and when the mighty works he did gave him an opportunity of making a (name for himself) figure, yet he made it appear that he emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation.

The title of my message tonight is Jesus Christ – Jehovah Servant. Read the text with me – (Matt. 12:14-21).

Though he is himself God Almighty, one with the Father and the Spirit in the Holy Trinity, in order to save us from our sins the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, voluntarily became the servant of God and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, to do the will of God.

In these eight verses of inspiration the Spirit of God clearly demonstrates five things that we need to be held before our hearts and minds.

1. The Hatred of Man for God (v. 14).
2. The Humiliation of Our Savior (vv. 15-20).
3. The Infallibility of Holy Scripture (vv. 17-18).
4. The Greatness and Certainty of Christ's Grace Toward Needy Sinners (v. 20).
5. The Assured Success of Jehovah's Servant (vv. 18, 20, 21).

I. First, in verse 14, the Holy Spirit gives us a glaring example of The Hatred of Man for God.

"The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject unto the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Rom. 8). The heart of man is not natural or indifferent toward God. All natural men, all unregenerate people, at the care of their beings, in their hearts hate God! When the Lord Jesus both claimed to be "Lord even of the Sabbath day" and proved his power as God by miraculous healing, the Jews, the religious leaders of the day were so enraged against him that they sought to destroy him. No Charge could be brought against his character. He was holy, harmless undefiled, and separate from sinners. No charge could be leveled against his doctrine. He proved his teachings by the Scriptures, irrefutably. But it mattered not how perfectly he lived or how perfectly he taught. He was hated by those people who claimed most loudly that they loved God!

"This is human nature appearing in its true colors! The unconverted heart hates God!" (J.C. Ryle).

A. This is the reason why God's servants have been persecuted and martyred throughout the centuries.

B. It must never surprise us whom we meet with the same treatment that our Savior received in this world.

"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you" (I John 3:13). It is not our weaknesses, infirmities, and faults that stir up the wrath of reprobate men, but rather our doctrine, our sincerity, and our obedience to our God (John 3:19-20; I John 3:12).

II. Secondly, this paragraph (vv. 15-20) demonstrates The Humiliation of Our Savior.

There are so many things in these verses that need to be studied in detail with great reverence that I cannot imagine explaining everything taught in them. But I must call your attention to…

• Our Savior's Omniscience – "When Jesus knew it!"


• Our Master's Seclusion – "He withdrew himself from thence."



NOTE: Our Lord did not flee from the Jews and the synagogue in fear, but because his hour was not yet come. The time had not yet come when he must suffer and die as our Substitute. He had other work yet to do to glorify his Father. Therefore he rightly and widely provides for his safety." (John Gill).

• Our Redeemer's Omnipotent Mercy – "He healed them all."



Great multitudes followed him from all parts of the country. And not one of those who followed him, even in this physical, carnal sense lacked anything. When the multitudes were hungry, he fed them. If they were deseased, he healed them. If they were possessed by devils, he cast them out. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

1. Jesus Christ is merciful, gracious, and kind.
2. Our Savior's mercy is coupled with omnipotence.
3. All who follow him find all they need in him. "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out!"

• Christ Great Humiliation (v. 16).



The Son of God never courted the praises of men. He sought only to do the will of God. What a sermon that is! "To him popularity became a hindrance." (C.H. Spurgeon). Our Savior made himself of no reputation." (Phil. 2:5-8).

NOTE: This deliberate act of humiliation was for the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 42:1-4. (v. 17).

III. So, thirdly, Matthew shows us The Infallibility of Holy Scripture (v. 18 - II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21.

A. "The Scripture Was Fulfilled" Mark 15:28.

Bro. Henry Mahan has often said, "The Old Testament scriptures tailor a garment that will fit only one man, and that man is the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are 38 of the Old Testament prophecies relating to the Messiah which were fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ, and can never be fulfilled by anyone also. To anyone, except those who are willfully ignorant, these are indisputable proofs that Jesus of Nazareth to the Christ of God.

1. The Woman's Seed – (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4; Rev. 12:5; Lk. 2:7).
2. Abraham's Seed – (Gen. 18:18; 12:3; Acts 3:25; Mt. 1:1; Lk. 3:34; Gal. 3:16).
3. Issac's Seed – (Gen. 17:19; Mt. 1:2; Isa. 3:34).
4. Jacob's Seed – (Num. 24:17; Gen. 28:14; Lk. 3:34; Mt. 1:2).
5. From The Tribe of Judah – (Gen. 49:10; Lk. 3:33; Mt. 1:2; Rev. 5:5).
6. Heir to David's Throne – (Isa. 9:7; 11:1-5; II Sam. 7:13; Mt. 1:1, 6; Acts 2:29-36).
7. Born in Bethlehem – (Mic. 5:2; Mt. 2:1; Lk. 2:4-7).
8. Time of His Birth – (Dan. 9:25; Lk. 2:1-7).
9. Born of A Virgin – (Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:18; Lk. 1:26-35).
10. Massacre of Children – (Jer. 31:15; Mt. 2:16-18).
11. Flight to Egypt – (Hos. 11:1; Mt. 2:14-15).
12. Galilean Ministry – (Isa. 9:12; Mt. 4:12-16).
13. A Prophet Like Moses – (Deut. 18:15; John 1:45; 6:14; Acts 3:19-26).
14. A Priest Like Melchizedek – (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 6:20; 5:5-6; 7:15-17).
15. The King's Triumphal Entry – (Isa. 62:11; Zech. 9:9; John 12:12-14; Mt. 21:1-11).
16. Rejection by Men – (Ps. 2:2; Isa. 53:3; John 1:11; 5:43; Lk. 4:29; 17:25; 23:18).
17. Personal Character – (Isa. 11:2-4; Lk. 2:52; 4:18).
18. Betrayal by A Friend – (Ps. 41:9; Mk. 14:10).
19. Sold for Thirty Pieces of Silver – (Zech. 11:12-13; Mt. 26:15).
20. Many Returned and Potter's Field Bought – (Zech. 11:13; Mt. 29:6-7).
21. Judas' Office Taken by Another – (Ps. 109:7-8; Acts 1:16-20).
22. False Witnesses – (Ps. 27:12; 35:11; Mt. 26:60-61).
23. Silence When Accused – (Isa. 53:7; Ps. 38:13-14; Mt. 26:62-63; 27:12-14). 24. Smitten and Spat Upon – (Isa. 50:6; Mk. 14:65).
25. Hated Without a Cause – (Ps. 69:4; 109:3-5; John 15;23-25).
26. Vicarious Sufferings – (Isa. 53:4-6; 12; Mt. 8:16-17; Rom. 4:25; I Cor. 15:3).
27. Crucified with Sinners – (Isa. 53:12; Mt. 27:38; Lk. 23:33).
28. Pierced Hands and Feet – (Ps. 22:16; Joh 20:27).
29. Mocked of Men – (Ps. 22:6-8; Mt. 27:39-40).
30. Gall and Vinegar to Drink – (Ps. 69:21; John 19:29).
31. Heard Prophetic Words Repeated in Mockery (Ps. 22:8; Mt. 27:43).
32. Intercession for Enemies – (Ps. 109:4; Lk. 23:34).
33. Pierced Side – (Zech. 12:10; John 19:34).
34. Lots Cast for His Coat – (Ps. 22:18; Mk. 15:24).
35. Not a Bone Broken – (Ps. 34:20; Ex. 12:46; John 19:33).
36. Buried with The Rich – (Isa. 53:9; Mt. 27:57-60).
37. His Resurrection – (Ps. 16:10; Mt. 28:9; Lk. 24:36-38).
38. His Ascension – (Ps. 68:18; Lk. 24:50-51).

"The Old Testament is the New Testament foretold. The New Testament is The Old Testament fulfilled." (John Trapp).

B. Jesus of Nazareth is The Christ and He is Jehovah's Servant.

Be sure you understand that this text and all others relating to his being the Servant of God relate only to his humility and to his office capacity as our covenant. Surety, Mediator, and Substitute. As such this text declares six things about him…

A. He was chosen by God.
B. He is beloved of God (John 10:16-18; Eph. 1:6).
C. He is well-pleasing to God – "In whom I am well pleased!"
D. He was equipped by God – "I will put my Spirit upon him."
E. He came to revel the righteousness of God (the gospel) to the world – The Gentiles – "He shall show judgment to the Gentiles.
F. His servitude is a matter of voluntary submission (v. 19 – Isa. 50:5-7).

IV. Fourthly, our text is a revelation of The Greatness And Certainty of Christ's Grace Toward Needy Sinners (v. 20).

Mighty and great as our Savior is, "He despiseth not any" (Job 36:5). Even those in whom grace is ever so weak, faith is ever so small, and repentance is ever so feeble, he is mighty to save!"

"There is life in the infant as truly as in the grown-up man. There is fire in a spark as truly as in a burning flame. The least degree of grace is an everlasting possession. It comes down from heaven. It is precious in our Lord's eyes. It shall never be over thrown. J.C. Ryle.

V. Fifthly, these verses declare The Assured Success of Jehovah's Servant – (vv. 18, 20, 21).

A. Bring in everlasting righteousness (v. 18 – His Obedience).
B. Bring righteousness to victory (v. 20 – His resurrection and ascension – Col. 2:14-15).
C. Give faith to all God's elect among the nations of the world – (v. 21 – Rom. 11:26).

*