A Light to the Gentiles

In one paragraph

Ray continued the church's series in Isaiah, working through the second of Isaiah's "Servant Songs" in chapter 49. He showed how these poems, written seven hundred years before Jesus, trace the arc of Jesus' life from birth through ministry to passion, and how that servant's mission ultimately extends to every nation on earth. Ray began by recapping the previous week's introduction from Isaiah 42,...

Read together

1. Isaiah 42:1-9 read in full as the introduction to the servant songs series, pointing to Jesus as God's servant
2. Isaiah 49:1-8, 13 the main passage for this sermon, the calling and ministry of the servant, presented as a divine conversation between Father and Son
3. Isaiah 9:6 quoted in connection with the servant being called from the womb and the significance of his name
4. Psalm 22 identified as a messianic psalm Jesus quoted from the cross, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me'
5. Psalm 67 quoted to illustrate God's desire to bless all nations, described as the spreading circle by Derek Kidner
6. Psalm 96 quoted to show God's glory being proclaimed among all nations and peoples
7. Psalm 117 quoted as a brief example of praise called from all nations
8. Genesis 12:1-3 referenced as the earliest statement of God's intent to bless all peoples through Abraham
9. Matthew 26 quoted to show Jesus feeling sorrowful and deeply distressed in Gethsemane, connecting to the servant's cry of laboring in vain
10. Mark 15 quoted alongside Matthew for Jesus crying out 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me' at the ninth hour
11. Hebrews 5 quoted to show Jesus offered prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death
12. John 17 Jesus's high priestly prayer quoted at length, connecting the Father sending the Son to the Son sending his disciples into the world
13. Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas in Antioch quoted turning to the Gentiles, citing Isaiah's light to the Gentiles language
14. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Paul transfers God's words to Jesus about the day of salvation to apply to believers
15. Matthew 28 the Great Commission referenced, with emphasis on 'all authority has been given to me' as the foundation for being sent

Talk about it

1. Ray walked through Isaiah 42 and said that predictive prophecy shows God knew from the beginning what would come to pass. What does it do to your faith to see a prophecy written 700 years before Jesus that traces the arc of his life so closely?
2. Ray pointed to the servant living a long, quiet, hidden life before his public ministry, and connected that to the image of a polished arrow hidden in a quiver. What do you think God might be doing in seasons of your life that feel quiet or hidden?
3. Ray said Jesus felt genuine sorrow and desolation, quoting his cry from the cross and his prayer in Gethsemane, and linked that to the servant's words 'I have labored in vain.' How does it change the way you relate to Jesus knowing he felt those things, yet kept entrusting himself to the Father?
4. Ray described Israel being called to be a light to the Gentiles, then said God's people have a recurring tendency to hoard the blessing rather than pass it on. Where do you see that tendency showing up in your own life or in the church today?
5. Ray closed by saying the continuing call and ministry of Christ is the body of Christ going forth to proclaim his salvation, just as the Father sent Jesus. What would it look like practically for you, this week, to carry that forward?