| One of the most amazing names for Christ is 'servant'. When you think of his position as the second person of the trinity and then call him a servant, you realise again something of his greatness in coming down to earth to be our example and our redeemer. God the Father loves to draw attention to this aspect of Christ's life and ministry. Here the obedience and work of Christ are set out against the dark background of Israel's failure. Israel failed in many ways but particularly in obedience and in witnessing for God. Christ, God's Son, came to live a life of perfect obedience and to do all that man had failed to do. Having done all that, he gave his life for us all. What did God say about his servant in these verses? Firstly, God upheld him. In all that Jesus Christ did, he had the loving support of his Father. Think of all the experiences Christ went through in his earthly life. Where did he obtain the grace to endure them? He was upheld by his Father. Secondly, God delighted in him. We cannot understand nor enter into the depth of fellowship that exists between the Father and the Son. Thirdly, God anointed him. In some special way, the Holy Spirit came on Christ at his baptism. He had always been filled with the Spirit, but in a unique way God equipped him for the ministry that was ahead of him. In Luke 4:14-21 Christ himself claimed that he had the anointing of God's Spirit for the work of preaching, teaching and healing. These three aspects of God's work in the life of Christ can also be true in our lives. We know something of the upholding grace of God. We know a little of what being in fellowship with him can mean in our lives. We also have the Spirit of God dwelling within us to enable us to live for Christ and work for him. May it be true of us, even in a small way, that God is able to say 'Behold my servant ... in whom I delight'. | 
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