Sing of The Servant of the New Testament Isaiah 49 1 6
Series: Sing of the Lord's Servant - Isaiah - Lenten Series
April 18, 2025
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Maundy Thursday 17-April-2025 Lenten Sermon Series: “Sing of the Lord’s Servant!” Sermon Text: Isaiah 49:1-6 Sermon Theme: “Sing of the Servant of the New Testament!” I. He Serves Us Hidden In His Word! (Vs.1-2). II. He Serves Glorifying His Father! (Vs.3-4). III. He Serves To Save All Sinners! (Vs.5-6) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Episode Notes
Maundy Thursday 17-April-2025
Lenten Sermon Series: “Sing of the Lord’s Servant!”
Sermon Text: Isaiah 49:1-6
Sermon Theme: “Sing of the Servant of the New Testament!” I. He Serves Us Hidden In His Word! (Vs.1-2). II. He Serves Glorifying His Father! (Vs.3-4). III. He Serves To Save All Sinners! (Vs.5-6) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The Passover meal begins with a young household member reciting or singing this question. It is part of the liturgy or order of the Passover Seder meal memorized by all at table.
Perhaps Jesus asked the question at twelve years old. He was sitting at table with Joseph and Mary, and other relatives who had gathered to celebrate in Jerusalem. For the past three years Jesus had celebrated the Passover with His apostles in Jerusalem. Now the Passover would be fully fulfilled in His innocent flesh sacrificed in the place of sinners and blood poured out washing away all our sins.
This final Passover would be different from all other Passover nights. The honored Host humbles Himself to serve. The apostles’ argued over which of them was to be the greatest. The old adam was alive and well in them, as he is in us, always striving to be #1 - to be our own gods....we love to idolize self. We pervert Christianity into a pseudo spirituality looking inside to our own feelings, thinking, ideas, and experiences. Idolatry of self is Satan’s tool isolating us from our local congregation. Our old adam tires of hearing the message of the cross. We think it is only the same old message that we’ve heard again and again. This too is the devil’s tool inciting our flesh to grow tired of hearing God’s Word preached so that he may steal it away from us. The mystery of Jesus’ cross is something God’s holy angels never tire of investigating. It is the very ongoing hymn of Heaven.
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus becomes the lowliest foot washing Servant. In His Kingdom greatness is found in loving service - following His footsteps. This final Passover is different from all others. This Supper Jesus prepares to serve us at His table within His Church is different from all other meals. It joins us with the ongoing feast of heaven. Our voices are united with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven to: “Sing of the Servant of the New Testament!” I. He Serves Us Hidden In His Word! (Vs.1-2). II. He Serves Glorifying His Father! (Vs.3-4). III. He Serves To Save All Sinners! (Vs.5-6)
I. The Lord God had delivered the children of Israel from over four centuries of enslavement to the Egyptians. Many peoples, tribes, and languages have been enslaved throughout world history. The greatest slavery is one we don’t want to see or acknowledge. Jesus preaches, John 8:34-35 ... "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. (35) And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.” Sin is every thought, word, or deed that violates the Holy Ten Commandments. We may call it our self-chosen spirituality, our freedom from family, our choice, our right, our lifestyle, our autonomy, our getting ahead, our constructive criticism, our striving for what we deserve. No matter how you dress up your sin - it is still slavery. It still pays only one wage - death - now. Death eternally - for a slave doesn’t abide in God’s House forever.
Do you remember the message God gave Moses to preach to Pharaoh? Exodus 4:22-23 ....., 'Thus says the LORD: "Israel is My son, My firstborn. (23) So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn." ' " Time after time the Lord preached, “Let My people go that they may serve Me.” Pharaoh continued to harden his heart until he was defeated by the Word of God and the blood of the Passover Lamb. Freed from slavery. The Lord God shepherded His people to Sinai, delivering them from the mightiest army in their day with the water of the Red Sea, quenching their thirst with water from a rock, and feeding them bread from heaven. At Sinai He spoke His Word into their ears - His Holy Ten Commandments - the path of serving our God and Lord by trusting His Word and humble service to our neighbor. They were freed to run in the path of His commandments empowered by the Holy Spirit. 40 days later they had chosen idolatrous rebellion.
Our God is mercy. Patiently He led the children of Israel through the wilderness for 40 years. He fought for them bringing them into the promised land and giving them victory over their enemies. Israel became an unfaithful servant. Study the history of Israel. Sending prophets preaching His Word, ‘Repent! Return the Lord your God!” Israel hardened its heart. It became the unfaithful servant worshiping gods created by their own imagination and hands.
In 722B.C. our God of History raised up the Assyrian empire to crush the northern 10 tribes of Israel. Judah didn’t learn the lesson from her sister’s demise. The Lord raised up the Babylonian empire to discipline Judah. In 586B.C. Jerusalem would fall, Solomon’s Temple left in a heap of ruins. All was lost.
Nearly two centuries before it happened the Lord God preached His message through the prophet Isaiah, “Repent and believe the Gospel! The Kingdom of God is at hand!” God’s servant Israel had failed. Fallen into idolatry. The Lord God would raise us His Servant boiling Israel down to one Man to save the nation! Hear Isaiah sing the second Servant song! (Vs.1-2) The Servant Jesus sings to people far away! ‘Listen! I am infleshed in the Virgin’s Womb by God’s Call preached. The Virgin Mary heard the promise preached by the angel Gabriel. Trusting God’s Word and promise she said, “Let it be to me according to your Word.” Life was born anew in her pristine womb. Gabriel told Mary, then Joseph that His Name was to be “Jesus!” He comes to save His people from their sins! Sinners! Jesus is born for you!
Jesus the Servant’s weapon is the Truth! Satan corrupted mankind and all creation through speaking lying words. Jesus’ sword is His Word - the Truth which alone sets us free from the strong delusions of our age! His Word marches triumphantly forward from age to age!
The world mocked the Servant Jesus. The Lord God hid Him from the eyes of man’s wisdom. Polished Him through suffering as a perfect arrow and hiding Him in His quiver until the day of our deliverance. Even the fallen angel Satan could not see that deep within the flesh and blood of Jesus was the very only-begotten Son of God.
Sing of the Servant Jesus who draws near still serving us hidden in His Word. He washes us forgiven in Holy Baptism - as He speaks through the mouth of the baptizer - snatching infants from Satan’s captivity to be citizens of heaven! He speaks His Word of absolution, the world laughs, but Jesus is hidden in that Word - and we are forgiven! He speaks His Word over bread and wine - ordinary elements - contain forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation in His living body and blood! Satan loses all right to accuse! He is over come by the blood of Jesus the Lamb and by speaking His Word!
II. The Servant of the New Testament - the Word made Flesh - preaches, Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. He calls us to follow Him strengthening us by the Holy Spirit in His Word! (Vs.3) The Servant glorifies His Father in Heaven!
God the Father twice rejoices in His Son’s humility to rescue us from all sins, from death, and from Satan’s captivity. When He is born the holy angelic choir sings, Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" The Father glories as His Son steps into the sewage of our sins to be baptized by John. All righteousness is fulfilled in Him alone - through His cross and resurrection - that His baptism might clothe us with His righteousness as pure gift! The Father bursts with pride over His Son in whom He is well pleased! On the Mount of Transfiguration as Moses and Eljiah discuss Jesus’ upcoming exodus through suffering and death in Jerusalem. God the Father speaks again of His beloved Son commanding us to “Hear Him!”
Sing of the Servant of the New Testament! He is at work in preaching! (Vs.4) Jesus preached one sermon and over 15,000 people stopped following Him. He asked the twelve if they also wanted to leave. Remember Peter’s reply? John 6:68-69...., "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (69) Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Never grow tired in preaching that glorifies God the Father through His Son’s Word and Word. God the Holy Spirit calls, enlightens, gathers, and keeps us in the one True Faith in Jesus within His Church by preaching!
III. Peter was offended that his Lord and Teacher would humble Himself to wash the apostles’ dirty feet. Jesus warns, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Peter then becomes an enthusiast wanting total immersion, rather than trusting the Word and the water poured to make us clean by Jesus’ serving us sinners.
The Servant of the New Testament - Jesus - is glorified by His suffering and death for you upon the cross! The Father is in His Son reclaiming the world to Himself by the Spirit of Truth! This is the glory of our Triune God! Hear Him rejoicing through the cross and empty tomb! (Vs.5) Jesus is formed by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin’s womb to rescue the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But that isn’t all. Gentiles hear and are converted to sing of the Servant of the New Testament through His preaching. The Father strengthens His only begotten Son in our skin to drink the cup of hellish wrath that we alone deserved. Justice is met! We are freed! God is His strength FOR YOU!
The Father and the Holy Spirit reclaim the world through Jesus’ flesh and blood! (Vs.6) It is too small a thing just to save one people! I give you as the Sacrifice and Savior of all people! The Light of us gentiles! God’s Salvation! Risen from death Jesus called you through His Apostles - baptizing all nations in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He serves still seeking and saving the lost.
Why is this night different from every other night? On this night the Servant of the New Testament invites us to feast on His living flesh and blood in bread and wine! We are forgiven! He unites us with all the company of heaven! The living before Him in Heaven, until the day of resurrection forever dawns on the Last Day! Amen.
Lenten Sermon Series: “Sing of the Lord’s Servant!”
Sermon Text: Isaiah 49:1-6
Sermon Theme: “Sing of the Servant of the New Testament!” I. He Serves Us Hidden In His Word! (Vs.1-2). II. He Serves Glorifying His Father! (Vs.3-4). III. He Serves To Save All Sinners! (Vs.5-6) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The Passover meal begins with a young household member reciting or singing this question. It is part of the liturgy or order of the Passover Seder meal memorized by all at table.
Perhaps Jesus asked the question at twelve years old. He was sitting at table with Joseph and Mary, and other relatives who had gathered to celebrate in Jerusalem. For the past three years Jesus had celebrated the Passover with His apostles in Jerusalem. Now the Passover would be fully fulfilled in His innocent flesh sacrificed in the place of sinners and blood poured out washing away all our sins.
This final Passover would be different from all other Passover nights. The honored Host humbles Himself to serve. The apostles’ argued over which of them was to be the greatest. The old adam was alive and well in them, as he is in us, always striving to be #1 - to be our own gods....we love to idolize self. We pervert Christianity into a pseudo spirituality looking inside to our own feelings, thinking, ideas, and experiences. Idolatry of self is Satan’s tool isolating us from our local congregation. Our old adam tires of hearing the message of the cross. We think it is only the same old message that we’ve heard again and again. This too is the devil’s tool inciting our flesh to grow tired of hearing God’s Word preached so that he may steal it away from us. The mystery of Jesus’ cross is something God’s holy angels never tire of investigating. It is the very ongoing hymn of Heaven.
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus becomes the lowliest foot washing Servant. In His Kingdom greatness is found in loving service - following His footsteps. This final Passover is different from all others. This Supper Jesus prepares to serve us at His table within His Church is different from all other meals. It joins us with the ongoing feast of heaven. Our voices are united with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven to: “Sing of the Servant of the New Testament!” I. He Serves Us Hidden In His Word! (Vs.1-2). II. He Serves Glorifying His Father! (Vs.3-4). III. He Serves To Save All Sinners! (Vs.5-6)
I. The Lord God had delivered the children of Israel from over four centuries of enslavement to the Egyptians. Many peoples, tribes, and languages have been enslaved throughout world history. The greatest slavery is one we don’t want to see or acknowledge. Jesus preaches, John 8:34-35 ... "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. (35) And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.” Sin is every thought, word, or deed that violates the Holy Ten Commandments. We may call it our self-chosen spirituality, our freedom from family, our choice, our right, our lifestyle, our autonomy, our getting ahead, our constructive criticism, our striving for what we deserve. No matter how you dress up your sin - it is still slavery. It still pays only one wage - death - now. Death eternally - for a slave doesn’t abide in God’s House forever.
Do you remember the message God gave Moses to preach to Pharaoh? Exodus 4:22-23 ....., 'Thus says the LORD: "Israel is My son, My firstborn. (23) So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn." ' " Time after time the Lord preached, “Let My people go that they may serve Me.” Pharaoh continued to harden his heart until he was defeated by the Word of God and the blood of the Passover Lamb. Freed from slavery. The Lord God shepherded His people to Sinai, delivering them from the mightiest army in their day with the water of the Red Sea, quenching their thirst with water from a rock, and feeding them bread from heaven. At Sinai He spoke His Word into their ears - His Holy Ten Commandments - the path of serving our God and Lord by trusting His Word and humble service to our neighbor. They were freed to run in the path of His commandments empowered by the Holy Spirit. 40 days later they had chosen idolatrous rebellion.
Our God is mercy. Patiently He led the children of Israel through the wilderness for 40 years. He fought for them bringing them into the promised land and giving them victory over their enemies. Israel became an unfaithful servant. Study the history of Israel. Sending prophets preaching His Word, ‘Repent! Return the Lord your God!” Israel hardened its heart. It became the unfaithful servant worshiping gods created by their own imagination and hands.
In 722B.C. our God of History raised up the Assyrian empire to crush the northern 10 tribes of Israel. Judah didn’t learn the lesson from her sister’s demise. The Lord raised up the Babylonian empire to discipline Judah. In 586B.C. Jerusalem would fall, Solomon’s Temple left in a heap of ruins. All was lost.
Nearly two centuries before it happened the Lord God preached His message through the prophet Isaiah, “Repent and believe the Gospel! The Kingdom of God is at hand!” God’s servant Israel had failed. Fallen into idolatry. The Lord God would raise us His Servant boiling Israel down to one Man to save the nation! Hear Isaiah sing the second Servant song! (Vs.1-2) The Servant Jesus sings to people far away! ‘Listen! I am infleshed in the Virgin’s Womb by God’s Call preached. The Virgin Mary heard the promise preached by the angel Gabriel. Trusting God’s Word and promise she said, “Let it be to me according to your Word.” Life was born anew in her pristine womb. Gabriel told Mary, then Joseph that His Name was to be “Jesus!” He comes to save His people from their sins! Sinners! Jesus is born for you!
Jesus the Servant’s weapon is the Truth! Satan corrupted mankind and all creation through speaking lying words. Jesus’ sword is His Word - the Truth which alone sets us free from the strong delusions of our age! His Word marches triumphantly forward from age to age!
The world mocked the Servant Jesus. The Lord God hid Him from the eyes of man’s wisdom. Polished Him through suffering as a perfect arrow and hiding Him in His quiver until the day of our deliverance. Even the fallen angel Satan could not see that deep within the flesh and blood of Jesus was the very only-begotten Son of God.
Sing of the Servant Jesus who draws near still serving us hidden in His Word. He washes us forgiven in Holy Baptism - as He speaks through the mouth of the baptizer - snatching infants from Satan’s captivity to be citizens of heaven! He speaks His Word of absolution, the world laughs, but Jesus is hidden in that Word - and we are forgiven! He speaks His Word over bread and wine - ordinary elements - contain forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation in His living body and blood! Satan loses all right to accuse! He is over come by the blood of Jesus the Lamb and by speaking His Word!
II. The Servant of the New Testament - the Word made Flesh - preaches, Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. He calls us to follow Him strengthening us by the Holy Spirit in His Word! (Vs.3) The Servant glorifies His Father in Heaven!
God the Father twice rejoices in His Son’s humility to rescue us from all sins, from death, and from Satan’s captivity. When He is born the holy angelic choir sings, Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" The Father glories as His Son steps into the sewage of our sins to be baptized by John. All righteousness is fulfilled in Him alone - through His cross and resurrection - that His baptism might clothe us with His righteousness as pure gift! The Father bursts with pride over His Son in whom He is well pleased! On the Mount of Transfiguration as Moses and Eljiah discuss Jesus’ upcoming exodus through suffering and death in Jerusalem. God the Father speaks again of His beloved Son commanding us to “Hear Him!”
Sing of the Servant of the New Testament! He is at work in preaching! (Vs.4) Jesus preached one sermon and over 15,000 people stopped following Him. He asked the twelve if they also wanted to leave. Remember Peter’s reply? John 6:68-69...., "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (69) Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Never grow tired in preaching that glorifies God the Father through His Son’s Word and Word. God the Holy Spirit calls, enlightens, gathers, and keeps us in the one True Faith in Jesus within His Church by preaching!
III. Peter was offended that his Lord and Teacher would humble Himself to wash the apostles’ dirty feet. Jesus warns, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Peter then becomes an enthusiast wanting total immersion, rather than trusting the Word and the water poured to make us clean by Jesus’ serving us sinners.
The Servant of the New Testament - Jesus - is glorified by His suffering and death for you upon the cross! The Father is in His Son reclaiming the world to Himself by the Spirit of Truth! This is the glory of our Triune God! Hear Him rejoicing through the cross and empty tomb! (Vs.5) Jesus is formed by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin’s womb to rescue the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But that isn’t all. Gentiles hear and are converted to sing of the Servant of the New Testament through His preaching. The Father strengthens His only begotten Son in our skin to drink the cup of hellish wrath that we alone deserved. Justice is met! We are freed! God is His strength FOR YOU!
The Father and the Holy Spirit reclaim the world through Jesus’ flesh and blood! (Vs.6) It is too small a thing just to save one people! I give you as the Sacrifice and Savior of all people! The Light of us gentiles! God’s Salvation! Risen from death Jesus called you through His Apostles - baptizing all nations in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He serves still seeking and saving the lost.
Why is this night different from every other night? On this night the Servant of the New Testament invites us to feast on His living flesh and blood in bread and wine! We are forgiven! He unites us with all the company of heaven! The living before Him in Heaven, until the day of resurrection forever dawns on the Last Day! Amen.
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