“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
He will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout
or raise his voice in public.
He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
He will not falter or lose heart
until justice prevails throughout the earth.
Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out.
He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
life to everyone who walks the earth.
And it is he who says,
“I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.
You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.“I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to anyone else,
nor share my praise with carved idols.
Everything I prophesied has come true,
and now I will prophesy again.
I will tell you the future before it happens.” (Isaiah 42:1–9 NLT)
What we need now in our world, is a deep and profound sense of hope.
Whether North or South of the 49th Parallel, we are aware of the political issues that have produced tension for the past number of years. There has been side-taking and accusations, bitterness and fear, much of it revolving around a distorted view of leadership. What if so and so gets in? What if the other side takes power? There is a loss of hope.
This isn’t new. Caesar had a twisted view of leadership that diminished hope. Jesus confronted the empire and its leadership through teaching a revolutionary prayer. It was not domesticated – it was a battle cry that called for pledging allegiance. Jesus declared that there was a new King, a new Kingdom, and a new way of leading that would bring hope to the world.
We need a new kind of leadership that will lead us into hope.
Isaiah prophesied years before about the new King and his Kingdom. God would send a new kind of leader who would lead people into a new way of living. He would bring hope. We read of the characteristics of this new leader/king in Isaiah 42:1–9 and find hope in who he is during this Advent season. What was so different?
- God’s Agency (v. 1)
He knew that his strength was insufficient, but rather drew his strength from God. He knew he was a servant and that it was God alone who would uphold him. He was chosen not by the people but by God and found his identity in the reality that God delighted in him. He was filled with the Spirit of God.
- Justice Was Crucial (vs. 1–3)
He did not focus on what was popular, but on what was right. He did not speak against others, nor platform himself, but remained faithful to the one who had chosen him to accomplish a greater purpose. He did not kick people when they were down but took the side of the underdog and made sure all were treated well.
- Model of Hope (v. 4)
He was the kind of leader to not become discouraged when things do not go his way. He was resolute to his call and created hope for all who followed.
- Faithful and Inclusive (vs. 5–6)
He is faithful to the covenant and is fully trustworthy. He invites the outsider to belong on the inside and to be included in the new Kingdom.
- Ministry to the Marginalized (v. 7)
He spends his time not with those who have risen to the top, but rather those who have sunk to the bottom. Where the world spits out those who fail to contribute, he brings hope to those who are powerless.
- His Name Be Praised (v. 8)
He alone is worthy of worship. He does not demand to be worshipped, but receives it because of the way in which he leads.
We need hope! And this Christmas we celebrate the hope that is ours in the coming and coming reality of our king, who we worship in hope.
Cam Roxburgh is the VP of Missional Initiatives for the North American Baptist Conference.