The Gentle Savior

Matthew 12:14–21 (NKJV, also appearing in Mark 3:7-12)

¹⁴ Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

¹⁵ But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. ¹⁶ Yet He warned them not to make Him known, ¹⁷ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

¹⁸“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,

My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!

I will put My Spirit upon Him,

And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

¹⁹He will not quarrel nor cry out,

Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.

²⁰A bruised reed He will not break,

And smoking flax He will not quench,

Till He sends forth justice to victory;

²¹And in His name Gentiles will trust.”

In this famous passage, Jesus is seen to have fulfilled a prophecy from Isaiah concerning His compassion and gentleness.  Jesus fulfilled the prophecies concerning Him with striking accuracy.  Yet He did not come to bring attention to Himself.  He came as a meek and kind Savior.  This flew in the face of the Warrior King image that the Jews had of their Messiah.  Yet, this was the image that fulfilled the prophecies and the will of God.  God does not always do things the way we expect.  Look for Him in the way that He purposes to appear, not in the way that you expect.  Jesus is a compassionate and loving Savior that will meet us in our weakness and gently heal our diseases and forgive our sins.  Trust Him and see His love in action!

Artwork from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKV8NiOS4E0