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[0:00] My beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased, I will put my spirit upon him and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.! He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

[0:17] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

[0:31] I've chosen this passage for this morning because my mother was in Constantinople Hospital in 2017. She was there in ICU for 104 days, cashing in on years of medical aid premiums.

[0:52] At the time she spoke of her concerns about being accepted with God should she die, which she really wanted to do at the time, die.

[1:07] Some people struggle with their sinful past when they are lying on their sickbeds. My mom was afraid that the Lord would not love her, nor accept her into heaven.

[1:24] Her conscience was plaguing her as she looked back on her 80 years at that time. Her faith was faint, and yet the Lord did not snuff her out.

[1:39] I brought a little candle to illustrate that this Lord Jesus Christ does not snuff out or extinguish a candle which is scarcely burning.

[1:50] So I want to speak for a few minutes today about this gentle servant, Jesus Christ in whom she trusted.

[2:04] These are shocking and very surprising words once one thinks about them for a moment or two. We told you of a servant who will attain international status, a ruler who is quiet and gentle, a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

[2:26] So I want to say three things today about this man. The first one is the first word, behold this man. Behold my servant, whom I have chosen.

[2:40] This man was not well received by the Jews, perhaps because he was humble and gentle. They were little prepared for such a ruler. In Jesus' ministry, the weak aren't trampled, they aren't crushed.

[2:54] And the believer whose faith is faint isn't rejected. Just above these verses which we've read, we meet some desperate people.

[3:08] A man with a shriveled hand. Jesus restored his hand completely, so it was now the same as the other healthy hand. Beneath these verses, a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb is brought to Jesus.

[3:23] Now he can see. Small wonder the people from the nations put their hope in this person. This man is filled with the Spirit of God, and so read in verse 18, My beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased, I will put my spirit on him.

[3:43] The reason I'd say it's shocking is because the Lord is well pleased with this man. But in verse 16, sorry, in verse 14, they are plotting to kill him.

[3:58] The world was not well pleased with Jesus. And most of the world today is still not well pleased with Jesus. They did plot his death, and they did so successfully. But in fact, God was well pleased with his son.

[4:15] A few verses back, Jesus invites people to himself, saying, Come to me, for I'm gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Come to me.

[4:26] Come under my teaching, under my leadership, my rule. Come right alongside me. Take up my yoke. We don't expect a servant, and as we see a gentle one at that, to have an international reputation.

[4:45] A person in whom the nations will put their hope. We expect the Vladimir Putins or the Donald Trumps or the others of this world to be well known for whatever reason as they are.

[4:59] But we don't expect them to be gentle and kind. Patient. But Jesus is like that. And God is very pleased with him.

[5:13] Isaiah said that this one wouldn't quarrel or cry aloud in the streets. And Matthew tells us here that these words that Isaiah spoke are now fulfilled in Jesus.

[5:26] And Jesus didn't quarrel or cry aloud in the street. Behold this man. Because this man actually wasn't seeking attention to himself. In our very verses, he ordered his disciples, Don't tell the masses about the many that I'm healing.

[5:44] Don't broadcast this. He ordered them not to make it known. And Isaiah anticipated that. One who wouldn't cry aloud in the streets.

[5:55] And Matthew says he is here. This servant, spoken of centuries before. This one has arrived and God is pleased with him. Behold my servant whom I've chosen.

[6:10] Second thing about him. A gentle servant. Jesus didn't quarrel or cry aloud in the streets when his own rights were infringed on.

[6:22] When he was treated unfairly by the Jewish leaders. He could well have. He could have called a tribunal of some kind, surely. But he didn't do that.

[6:35] He was the meek servant. Like a sheep to the slaughter is silent. Or he did not open his mouth to Jesus.

[6:46] He told her bruised reed he would not break. Poetic language and a smoldering wiki will not stuff out.

[6:58] For much of my mother's life, even as she became a Christian, she was very much like a bruised reed. A bruised reed is a bent reed.

[7:09] It's a reed which is actually of no use. You don't use it for thatch. And you can't lean on it. It's useless, really. No one spends money on bruised reeds.

[7:25] And no one really puts much hope in a smoldering wick. And yet Jesus has time for people like this.

[7:37] He's got time for people whose lives are all bent up. And he's got time for Christian people whose faith is very small.

[7:50] He's got time for people who get their moral and spiritual weakness. People who acknowledge the ignorance of God. But he opposes the wicked and the obstinate.

[8:11] Whether you're young, middle-aged, or older, he doesn't break bent reeds and bruised reeds. He treats sinners very kindly, actually.

[8:24] And with profound care. And what he does, and what he's doing, is he straightens out the bent heart. And he transforms people who trust him.

[8:36] And enables us to serve him and do what's right, both towards God and towards our neighbors. I'll say again, it's surprising, if not shocking, that a gentle person, in our somewhat harsh and world full of hubris, that God has actually made it very clear, this is the man he's pleased with.

[9:04] This is the one to whom the Jews and the Gentiles will turn. Behold my servants, says the Lord.

[9:16] Behold my gentle servants. We told in his final verses that in his name, the Gentiles will put their hope.

[9:30] My mom came from Jewish stock, but she herself was a Gentile, as it were. Her father was a Jewish man.

[9:41] Her mother was not a Jewish woman. And I mention that because the Savior is the Savior for both Jews and Gentiles. Last thing about this servant is, he will be victorious.

[9:59] Our last verses say, a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory.

[10:10] And in his name, the Gentiles will hope. The first time Jesus came into this world, he appeared in weakness. He was subject to rejection.

[10:22] He was unrecognized. And he was successfully plotted against. When he returns, he will not appear in weakness. God's Spirit is upon Jesus.

[10:35] If we will not behold him now, we shall unwillingly behold him then. But those who behold him now will rejoice then.

[10:48] He really was a servant. Matthew 20, verse 28 says, that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

[11:05] The Son of Man is a very great figure, and a very gentle and humble one. He will bring justice to victory.

[11:17] He will set everything to right. And he'll establish things just as God wants him to be. We all want justice. We are tired of commissions and lies.

[11:31] How do we know that God will establish his kingdom and do so through Jesus Christ? Because when men nailed him to the cross, God is pleased with his Son and raised him to life on the third day.

[11:51] God is surely pleased with his humble servant who laid down his life for sinners. Nations will look to him. Many already are.

[12:04] Many in this room are looking to him. People are hoping in Jesus, for he will save us from our sins. I am trusting in this, Jesus. Lola did too.

[12:18] Lola beheld Jesus. I urge you today to behold him too. Behold my servant, whom I have chosen.

[12:31] My beloved one, with whom my soul is well pleased. Here you will find mercy. Here bruised reeds are not broken.

[12:43] And faintly burning candles are not snuffed out. Here you will find rest for your restless soul. Let us also delight him.

[12:58] Though the world may not do so, and many around us may not do so, let us also delight and behold Jesus, whom God will send back into this world in due course.

[13:12] And then he will establish his victory and his everlasting kingdom. I'm going to give you a few moments of quiet and then I'll lead you in prayer.

[13:25] Father, we do behold Jesus Christ today.

[13:51] We recognize him. Many of us adore him and trust him. We thank you that he is so patient, kind, long-suffering with us.

[14:08] And we thank you, Jesus Christ, that though you are the son of man and that all things are yours, you were very kind to us in becoming a servant and suffering unjustly but willingly for our sins.

[14:34] we recognize that you will soon return and have your due. Bring your people to everlasting life and condemn those who will not behold you.

[14:49] And we pray that even today you grant us humble and teachable hearts that we might see this man, Jesus, for who he is.

[14:59] and we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Thanks, Kenny.

[15:18] Let us continue now in a time of prayer. Will you bow with me? Our loving Heavenly Father, we approach you today knowing that you are the one who holds the keys to life and death.

[15:36] We remember that there is absolutely nothing that happens in all your creation that is beyond your control. We praise you that men and women are made in your image.

[15:48] and we praise you that all, both Jews and Gentiles, can put their hope in your son who you sent to save us from our sins. We want to thank you for the life of Lola, the life that you gave her, and even more, thank you for the hope that you gave her in your son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

[16:13] We do think also, though, at this time of those who remain behind, particularly Lola's family, we bring before you their sorrow and their grief, and we ask that you, the God of all comfort, will comfort them with the knowledge of your presence now.

[16:32] Deal graciously with them, Father. Help them to lean on you at this time for their hope and their strength, and may they know and feel the consolation of your deep love.

[16:44] God, we pray, too, that you would help all of us in our life's journey from this day forward. Grant us the wisdom and grace to use aright the time that is left to us here on earth.

[16:57] Help us to honor you. Strengthen us that we may follow your son, Jesus, and guide us upon our journey that we would follow the way that leads to the fullness of eternal life.

[17:09] We ask these things in the name of Jesus who leads us into your presence through his death on the cross. Amen. Well, I want to draw your attention to the back of your handout.

[17:24] There's a picture of a hymn, the words of a hymn, but many of you may not know this was a hymn that Rose, cleaning out Lola's cupboard, found last week in her cupboard with her handwriting at the top entitled My Hymn.

[17:41] This was Lola's hymn and it's a special one because it expresses her journey in her life and the hope she has in Christ.

[17:53] And I think Lola would have loved to hear us singing this song with all our hearts and so let's stand and sing Knowing You, Jesus. Please take a seat.

[18:08] Well, funerals are sad times, but for those who die in the faith of Christ, it's right to end on a good night and that's why I like to read from Revelation right at the end of the Bible this glorious account in the revelation revealed to the Apostle John that reveals the world to come for all who have trusted in Christ.

[18:41] Revelation 21 from verse 1, Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look, God's dwelling place is now among the people and He will dwell with them.

[18:55] They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.

[19:12] He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new. Then He said, Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true. He said to me, It is done.

[19:26] I am the Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end. to the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this and I will be their God and they will be my children.

[19:44] Well, that is the hope that we share with Lola. But it is now time until that great resurrection and God bringing the consummation of creation, it is now time to commit the body of Lola for cremation.

[20:03] Let us pray. People born of women are a few days and full of trouble. We spring up like flowers and then wither away like a fleeting shadow we do not endure.

[20:19] In the midst of life we are in death. To whom can we turn for help but to you, Lord God, most holy, most mighty. Although you are justly angered by our sins, deliver us not to the terror of eternal death.

[20:38] Hear our prayers, most merciful God, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. And now in the presence of God with whom are the souls of all who have died in the faith of Christ, we now commit the body of Lola for cremation, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

[21:02] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies through faith in him that they may be like his glorious body by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control.

[21:17] Amen. And now, may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep, may he equip you with everything good for doing his will and may he work in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever.

[21:39] Amen. Thank you for being with us today. I trust that this has been a special time and don't rush off. If you don't have to, please come through and enjoy some refreshments in the hall afterwards.

[21:54] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[22:13] Thank you.

[22:43] Thank you.

[23:13] Thank you.