Isaiah 42:1-4 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

The characteristics of the true Leader.

Taking these words as applicable to the Anointed of the Lord, and then, secondarily, to every one who is equipped and sent of him to lead and save men, we have the following features indicated.

I. THE SPIRIT OF OBEDIENCE . "My Servant "( Isaiah 42:1 ). Jesus Christ was the Servant of Jehovah; he was "about his Father's business" from the beginning. He came "to work the work of him that sent him." It was his "meet to do the Father's will, and to finish his work." It was his joy to know, at the end of his career, that he had "finished the work which the Father had given him to do." The spirit of obedience, of active conformity to the known will of "him that sent him," possessed and characterized our Lord in a very marked degree.

II. THE EXCELLENCY WHICH ATTRACTS . "Whom I uphold; my Chosen, in whom my soul delighteth;" in other words, that One "in whom I am well pleased." There was in our Lord everything which satisfies and attracts. Excellency is often found in conjunction with characteristics which are so uninviting and even repelling that there is a measure of admiration felt, but no delight, no good pleasure; the soul is not drawn in affection and attachment. Jesus Christ was One in whose spirit, attitude, behaviour, was everything that called forth the pleasure of the Father, and that now evokes the love and the delight of his disciples.

III. RECIPIENCY OF THE HIGHEST GIFT . "I have put my Spirit upon him." God "gave not the Spirit by measure" unto him ( John 3:34 ), because he had an immeasurable capacity of receiving it. God's highest gifts to us depend, not on his willingness or ability to bestow, but on our readiness and capacity to receive. God dwelt, by his Spirit, perfectly in his Son, our Saviour, and according to our faith and purity he will dwell in us.

IV. QUIETNESS OF METHOD . "He shall not cry," etc. ( vide next homily).

V. PATIENT HOPEFULNESS . "A bruised reed," etc. ( vide next homily).

VI. PERSISTENT ENERGY . "He shall bring forth judgment unto truth;" "He shall not fail," etc.

1 . The disregarded and despised Son of man did not fail to speak, to suffer, to work, until his task on earth was complete.

2 . The neglected and unknown Son of God , dwelling in the heavens, will not be discouraged until the race has been regenerated and renewed. Through the instrumentality of his Church he will work on this sin-distracted world until its ignorance be displaced by knowledge, its iniquity yield to holiness of heart and life, its indifference give place to earnest interest and all-constraining love.—C.