- Servant: A Pattern for the Elect
- The Multitude: A Picture of the Natural Church
- Healing All: A Glimpse of Future Redemption
- Fulfilment of Isaiah 42: The Pattern of the Elect
- The Elect: Chosen with His Spirit Upon Them
- He Did Not Strive: The Spirit of Meekness
- A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break
- In His Name Shall the Gentiles Trust
Servant: A Pattern for the Elect #
Matthew 12:15–16 (KJV)
But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
And charged them that they should not make him known:
“The voice of Christ is not in Babylon’s noise, but in the silence of Zion.”
This withdrawal was not cowardice, but spiritual strategy. It aligned with His own instruction:
Matthew 10:23–25 (KJV)
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another… The disciple is not above his master… If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
He modelled that when persecution arises—not for wrongdoing, but for truth—we must be Spirit-led in retreat, not ruled by pride or presumption.
The Multitude: A Picture of the Natural Church #
The “great multitude” who followed Him represents those still in the outer court—those in the visible Church system, drawn to healing and miracles but not yet awakened to the mysteries of the Kingdom.
Matthew 13:2–3, 10–11 (AMP)
He told them many things in parables…
And the disciples asked Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
He replied, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.”
| Multitude | Disciples |
|---|---|
| Stand on the shore (13:2) | Enter the ship (abide in Christ) |
| Hear parables | Receive interpretation |
| Seek signs | Seek truth |
| Healed in body | Made whole in spirit |
Their obsession with physical healing is a spiritual sign—they are still babes, not yet discerning eternal life from signs of power.
Healing All: A Glimpse of Future Redemption #
Christ’s healing of all was a sign that salvation would eventually be available for all. Ezekiel 16 speaks prophetically of this return:
“A bruised reed He will not break—neither must we discard the weak in faith.”
This is a divine order: first the elect, then the rest. (1 Corinthians 15:22–24)
“Do Not Make Me Known”: Hidden from the Multitude #
Jesus charged them not to make Him known (Matt 12:16). This aligns with His use of parables to veil truth:
Matthew 13:13–15 (AMP)
Therefore I speak to them in parables… because their heart has grown dull…
They are prevented from knowing Him until the appointed time. This silence is mercy, not rejection. It postpones judgment and preserves them until their time of unveiling.
Fulfilment of Isaiah 42: The Pattern of the Elect #
Matthew 12:17–21 reveals that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 42:
| Isaiah 42 | Matthew 12 |
|---|---|
| My Servant, My Elect (v1) | My Servant whom I have chosen (v18) |
| He will not cry or strive (v2) | He shall not strive nor cry (v19) |
| A bruised reed He will not break (v3) | He will not break bruised reeds (v20) |
| Gentiles shall hope in Him (v4) | In His name shall Gentiles trust (v21) |
But these words also speak of us, His Body, the Church of the Firstborn. As He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17).
The Elect: Chosen with His Spirit Upon Them #
Acts 1:8 (AMP)
But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…
Revelation 20:4
…and judgment was given unto them…
We are in His Christ (Acts 4:26, Revelation 11:15). His elect are not just followers, but joint heirs in His redemptive plan. In this age, we will be the instruments through which the world is judged and healed.
“We are not only healed by Christ; we become healers in Him to the nations.”
Obadiah 1:21
And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge…
He Did Not Strive: The Spirit of Meekness #
Strive (Gk: erizō, ἐρίζω) = to quarrel, to wrangle.
Jesus never engaged in religious quarrels. As His elect, we are told:
2 Timothy 2:23–25 (AMP)
The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone…
| Carnal Ministry | True Ministry |
|---|---|
| Argumentative | Gentle |
| Loud in the streets | Quiet in the Spirit |
| Claims truth by force | Reveals truth by meekness |
He also “did not cry” — not in the emotional sense (He wept over Lazarus), but spiritually, He did not cry out under affliction.
Isaiah 53:7
He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth…
He bore suffering in silence, entrusting Himself to the Father.
His Voice Not Heard in the Streets #
This spiritually means Christ’s voice is not in Babylon’s religious noise. His voice is only heard where His Spirit truly gathers His people.
Hebrews 12:22–25 (AMP)
You have come to Mount Zion… see that you do not reject Him who speaks from heaven…
The true voice of Christ is revealed in the assembly of the firstborn, not in the noise of worldly platforms.
A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break #
Christ did not destroy us when we were “bruised” and filled with smoke (flesh, confusion, carnal doctrines). Likewise, we must bear with the weak.
Romans 15:1 (AMP)
We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength…
| Image | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bruised reed | A wounded soul, broken by religion |
| Smoking flax | A flickering light, nearly gone out |
| Christ’s response | Mercy, restoration, gentleness |
In His Name Shall the Gentiles Trust #
This prophecy points to the time when even Gentiles (those far off) shall hope in Christ. We, the elect, were once Gentiles, now brought near.
Ephesians 2:12–13 (AMP)
You were… alienated from the commonwealth of Israel… but now you have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
This hope shall eventually reach all mankind, in God’s timing.
In Christ,
Shaliach.
