In Isaiah 42 and 49, the first two "Servant Songs," we see two primary goals of Jesus as the Messiah that motivate and encourage Him to overcome difficulties. Jesus' mission involved overcoming obstacles to bring God’s justice and salvation to the nations. Jesus' strength and perseverance were rooted in the Spirit, enabling Him to confront injustice without despair and bring the light of salvation to Israel and the world.

Application Questions

• In what areas of your life are you encountering injustice? How are you responding?
• What encouragement can you gain from meditating on how Jesus the Messiah encountered the opposition He faced?
• Why do you think justice is important to the Spirit of God?
• When you grow weary, do you find strength in the gospel?
• Are you struggling with despair or depression? Will you bring your burdens to a Suffering Servant who knows how to minister to you in your weakness?
• Will you recommit yourself to the mission of Jesus – the proclamation of His glorious gospel of salvation?

The relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit reveals how being full of the Spirit enabled Christ's earthly ministry. Through Isaiah's prophecies, we see how being full of the Spirit equipped Jesus with divine wisdom, understanding, and counsel. This Spirit-empowered life demonstrated God's personal nature and commitment to dwell among His people, ultimately fulfilling ancient promises through the incarnation.

Application Questions:

• When you sin, do you look to the grace of God our Savior through the gift of the Son by the Spirit?
• Have you meditated on your personal relationship with God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit?
• Is your theology of the baby Jesus big enough to include His role as the Davidic Messiah?
• If you are joined with Christ through salvation, does your prayer life reflect the priority of establishing His kingdom?
• Do you read the Old Testament and, specifically, the prophets regularly? If not, why?
• Are you united by faith with Jesus and therefore able to access the power of the Spirit in His life?
• This Christmas season, will you commit to slowing down and refreshing yourself anew with time with God as you ponder the magnificence of the Incarnation?

Christ empowers sanctification through His perfect humanity, as explored in Hebrews 2:5-18. Simon Pranaitis examines four powerful incentives for believers to persist in their spiritual growth: Christ's redemption of our right to rule, His suffering for our holiness, His victory over Satan, and His role as our High Priest. Understanding how Christ empowers sanctification gives Christians the motivation and means to pursue spiritual transformation despite life's challenges.

Where do you find the motivation to fight sin and pursue holiness?

• Do you contemplate the future reality of the kingdom and how the saints will rule with Christ?
• Does your pursuit of holiness reflect a desire to see the Son of Man coming in glory?
• Do you embrace suffering and allow it to complete God’s work in your sanctification?
• Do you contemplate your spiritual and physical unity with Christ often enough?
• What sins are you battling? Are you waging war with inferior tactics?
• Do you overestimate the power of Satan? If so, how?
• Do you meditate on the victory of Christ as you pray for victory over sin?
• As you return home today and work this week, what areas of weakness are the most in need of the power of the Spirit?
• How are you filling your mind and heart with Christ as you battle sin?
• Will you commit to praying fervently for God the Father to fill you with His Spirit and aid you in your sanctification?