March 29, 2024 - Matthew 12:18-21

“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world.” Matthew 12:18-21 NLT

Jesus, what a beautiful prophecy you are quoting from Isaiah 42. We declare that your name truly is the hope of the world. We praise you that you are not a tyrant. You didn’t come down to the earth with an army shedding other’s blood to force allegiance to you. You came as a helpless infant. You came to serve those of us who most definitely should have been serving you. You showered your love and acceptance on us. You came to show us the way and taught us how to follow you. But you didn’t force anyone to follow you; you left the choice up to us. You showed us how to love unconditionally and how to stand up for righteousness even in the face of opposition. You taught us that there is so much more awaiting us than this life here on earth. You have given us eternal hope.

Lord, we praise you that you are a God of justice, but also a God of love. You will judge fairly, but you have offered each of us a chance to escape the punishment we all deserve. What a wonderful God you are. You have given us each a chance to be found righteous in spite of how much we sin. We all deserve death, but, Jesus, you paid the debt for our sin. How wonderful! Lord, we praise you that when you come to earth bringing your justice that we can say that we have been covered with your redemptive blood. We have been made pure. Let us shout this hope from the mountain tops. Help to never keep this good news to ourselves. Help us love others the way you do.

In Jesus name, amen.