Jesus told the religious leaders and the listening crowds what the leaders were really like. They sat in the seat of Moses, enjoying prestige and privilege, while condemning people to hell through their hypocrisy and arrogance. He blamed them for the lost and misguided people of Israel, and laid the blood of the prophets squarely at their feet. Jesus wants us to bless others through demonstrating His love, grace, forgiveness and freedom. We need to live through God's Holy Spirit, carry the gospel, build His church and be a living sacrifice pleasing to our victorious Lord.

Forgiveness is the foundation of our faith, of healthy relationships, and of a healthy us. Forgiveness and mercy are there because we are a new creation. Don’t count how many times to forgive - how can we not forgive? Forgiveness disrupts our spiritual death, and disrupts the death of earthly relationships. Sometimes the person we need to forgive is ourself.

To know God and be obedient to Him in every way is show reverence for Him, for which He deserves. Jesus is in tune with God's will and the first place God's kingdom is to come is in our hearts. If we want God's will on earth, then we must do God's will - as it is in heaven is our goal. When we pray sincerely, and with heartfelt intention, we are then conduits for God's will that others will come to know Him. Pray that we will be worthy servants of God.

This passage of Isaiah is the first of four Servant Songs in the book and has strong messianic overtones. But who is the prophet referring to as he describes the role that the servant will have in bringing justice to the nations, but with an unexpected gentleness? It is the nation of Israel itself? Is it Cyrus the Great who ended the exile of the Jews? How about Muhammad as the Muslims believe? In today’s message we examine the evidence that shows that Jesus best fits the figurative fingerprint that Isaiah describes. As Jesus’ followers, we too are called to exhibit justice with gentleness. What does that look like for you today?

God's people had turned away from Him and were living in a spiritual darkness. They looked from amongest themselves for guidance in life rather than relying on God. Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Messiah, the only way our world could be saved. Jesus is the light that comes in this dark world and provides the hope of salvation to anyone who receives Him as their Saviour.