Hearts Captive by the Savior's Love
David Wilkerson's sermon highlights the tender love of Jesus as the Savior who desires genuine devotion over mere miracles.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the tender and loving nature of Jesus as depicted in Isaiah's prophecy, highlighting that Christ came not with loud proclamations but with a quiet spirit of compassion. He illustrates how Jesus, despite facing opposition from the Pharisees, chose to withdraw rather than retaliate, continuing to heal and serve those in need. Wilkerson points out that Jesus desired genuine devotion from the people, not mere followers seeking miracles, and he underscores the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Savior sent to save the world rather than to condemn it. The sermon calls listeners to reflect on the depth of the Savior's love and the gift of salvation available to all.
Text
"Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street" (Isaiah 42:1-3).
This passage is all about Jesus. The Holy Spirit had moved upon the prophet Isaiah to bring forth a revelation of what Christ would be like when he comes and the image that comes forth from these verses is clear: Christ would not come with a loud clamor or noise. Rather, he would come as a tender, loving Savior.
We read the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in Matthew 12:14 where we see the Pharisees planning to kill Jesus because he had healed a man on the Sabbath. When Jesus found out about it, he "withdrew from there." He did not retaliate in anger or try to get revenge, although he could have summoned a legion of angels to deal with his enemies on the spot.
This tender spirit, Matthew says, reveals the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy: "He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets" (Matthew 12:19). So, what did Jesus do after he quietly withdrew from Jerusalem? The Word says he immediately went outside the city and continued to heal all who crowded in on him: "Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all" (12:15).
Jesus instructed the people, "Don't tell anyone about the miracles you see." Even after healing two blind men, Christ told them to keep it to themselves (Matthew 9:30). You see, Jesus did not want the people following him for his miracles. He wanted their devotion because his tender words had captured their hearts.
Jesus wanted everyone, including every future generation, to know he came into the world as a Savior: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17). Today, focus on the Savior's love and his great gift of salvation for all mankind.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the prophecy of Isaiah
- The nature of Christ's coming
- Comparison with the expectations of the Pharisees
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II
- Jesus' response to opposition
- The significance of His withdrawal
- Healing as an expression of His love
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III
- The importance of devotion over miracles
- Jesus' desire for genuine relationships
- The call to recognize His love
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IV
- Understanding the purpose of Christ's mission
- The message of salvation
- The invitation to all generations
Key Quotes
“He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.” — David Wilkerson
“He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.” — David Wilkerson
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Reflect on the nature of Jesus' love and how it impacts your life.
- Seek to cultivate a genuine relationship with Christ based on His words.
- Share the message of salvation with others, emphasizing His love and grace.