warm-up

How do you show your love to your family? Tell us one of the ways.

What is one rule in your home you find hard to obey? Why?

Recall a time when you had to endure hardship. How did you get through it?

word

4The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. 5The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. Isaiah 50:4,5

God, through Isaiah, foretold of the servant He would send to redeem His people. The servant, unlike what the Israelites thought, would not redeem God’s people from the oppression that they were experiencing from other nations. Instead, He would be a witness to the world of the love of God, His will, and judgment for all peoples. Today, we will look at what it means for Jesus to serve as the faithful witness of God.

1
He sustains the weary.

The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. Isaiah 50:4

Jesus, as God’s witness to the world, was sent to sustain with a word him who is weary. He is introduced not immediately as one who will pronounce judgment upon the sinful world, but as a comforter who helps the weary or tired. What does Jesus offer to those who are weary? (Matthew 11:28–30)

2
He listens to and obeys what God has spoken.

The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. Isaiah 50:5

God sent Jesus to earth for a divine purpose—to redeem mankind from all sin. When Jesus lived on earth, He fully knew that purpose and how it was to be fulfilled. He was going to die a humiliating and painful death on the cross so that mankind would know and experience life with God again. Even when Jesus knew this, He was not rebellious and did not turn backward. Why did Jesus obey God? (John 14:31)

3
He is willing to suffer persecution for God’s will.

6I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:6,7

Not only was Jesus sent to die for us, He was going to suffer persecution for us. Throughout Jesus’ life as a witness, He was shunned, ridiculed, and even harmed. Despite the persecution, shame, and pain Jesus experienced, He remained faithful because He knew what His suffering was for and that God would help Him. In whom did Jesus hope? (Isaiah 50:8,9)

application

Do you believe that Jesus Christ was sent to die for your sins so that you will be able to experience life with God? Would you like to put your trust in Him today?

How can you live a life of total obedience to God the way Jesus did? What are two ways you can start to do so this week?

Is there anyone around you who is weary and tired? How can you point them to Jesus, who sustains the weary?

prayer

Thank God that Jesus is His faithful witness that sustains the weary and redeems His people. Pray that He will be your main source of comfort and strength in times of need.

Pray for God to strengthen you in times of discomfort and persecution because of your faith. Pray that He will give you the grace to be faithful in every circumstance.

Ask God to show you those who need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for the boldness to be Jesus’ witness to them.

victory_logo_black
© 2019 by VICTORY®
All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Permission to photocopy this material is granted for local church use. This is not for sale.
victory.org.ph