by W. Fraser Naismith (Scotland)
What an elixir for the soul of the servant of Christ is found in a consideration of Jehovah's perfect Servant!
God, on more than one occasion, had alluded to an illustrious person as "My servant" — and possibly Isaiah might have wondered to which one the Spirit referred. God had said — "My servant Moses … is faithful in all mine house;" and addressing Satan stated — "My servant Job … there is none like him in the earth." Such remarkable encomiums are worthy of note; yet neither of the servants alluded to could answer the description given by Isaiah. It must, therefore, be some other servant to whom Isaiah referred. Most of us must confess "we are unprofitable servants." Of this One we learn "He shall not fail nor be discouraged." The One who is declared to be "My Son;" "My King;" "My Shepherd;" "My Fellow;" is now described as "My Servant." Paul reminds us — "He took upon Him the form of a servant;" and Peter states — "He left us an example, that we should follow His steps."
"He shall not fail"
The work which Christ came to accomplish for the satisfaction of His Father and God is threefold. He came for Revelation; for Salvation; and for Subjugation. Has He failed in Revelation? Nay! "The only-begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." The unveiling of the Father is marvellous. He has also revealed His truth and grace. He was the witness to the truth; and His unbosoming of the Father has brought to light the secrets of His great heart of love. Has He failed in Salvation? The redeemed answer — "neither is there salvation in any other!" For "the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared;" and "the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Will He fail in Subjugation? Paul answers — "He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under His feet."
"Nor be discouraged"
There have been remarkable characters such as Elijah who fearlessly entered the presence of the king and made a startling observation without dread or fear; yet that same man became the despondent servant as he sought that God might take away his life, not knowing that God meant to take him to heaven without dying! Opposition is often great, but not any greater than that which confronted God's Perfect Servant. He was dauntless; for He wielded with marked dexterity one weapon — the Word of God — and with it defeated all who sought to oppose Him.
The world, the flesh and the devil all gathered their forces to attack Christ. To the threefold temptation of the devil, Christ made reply: "It is written." He quoted from Deuteronomy three times and defeated the devil.
The world approached, and to it He replied — "ye search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me." The flesh approached in the form of three companies — Herodians, Sadducees, and Pharisees. The first company presented a political question; the second came with a philosophical question; whilst the third asked a theological question. When Christ had answered them we learn "neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions."
The success of the Perfect Servant lay in His absolute dependence on God, Ps.16.1. He had His ear opened morning by morning to hear as the instructed, Isa.50.4. The wise man tells us of the blessedness of the man "that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors," Prov.8.34.
The Perfect Servant came to a hostile realm and was faithful amidst all unfaithfulness. Are we faithful in a scene of opposition? If we are, there awaits us the great commendation of the Lord Himself — "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Lord! when I'm weary with toiling,
And burdensome seem Thy commands:
If my load should lead to complaining;
Lord! show me Thy hands:
Thy bleeding hands; Thy cross-torn hands:
O! Saviour, show me Thy hands.
O! Christ, if my footsteps should falter
And I be prepared for retreat:
If desert or thorn cause lamenting;
Lord! show me Thy feet:
Thy nail-pierced feet; Thy cross-scarred feet:
O! Saviour, show me Thy feet.
Lord! dare I show Thee my hands and my feet?