Mat 12:18-21 Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. (19) He will not argue or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets. (20) He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick, until he has led justice to victory. (21) The nations will put their hope in his name.
The prophet Isaiah foresaw the Messiah as a gentle Conqueror. He pictures Jesus as the Servant whom Jehovah had chosen, the Beloved One in whom God’s soul was well pleased. God would put His Spirit upon Him—a prophecy fulfilled at the baptism of Jesus. And His ministry would reach beyond the confines of Israel; He would declare justice to the Gentiles. This latter note becomes more dominant as Israel’s “NO” grows louder. Isaiah further predicted that the Messiah would not wrangle or cry out and His voice would not be heard in the streets. In other words, He would not be a political rabble-rouser, stirring up the populace.
He would not break a bruised reed or quench a smoking flax. He would not trample on the dispossessed or underprivileged in order to reach His goals. He would encourage and strengthen the broken-hearted, oppressed person. He would fan even a spark of faith into a flame. His ministry would continue till He would bring justice to victory. His humble, loving care for others would not be extinguished by the hate and ingratitude of men. And in His name Gentiles will trust. They are pictured as waiting for His reign so that they might be His loyal subjects.
