Getting to Know Jesus by Name #65: My Servant

 Isaiah 53: 

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
    make many to be accounted righteous,
    and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
    and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
    and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
    and makes intercession for the transgressors.

As God speaks through Isaiah about His Messiah, sent to do His saving work, He gives him many titles and descriptions, but one that really hit home with the people of Israel was Servant. It was a title He had used lovingly for them throughout their history.  The word My "is used to indicate affection to the one you are talking to."*  God does not use the word  "my" to express any sort of greediness - only His great love.  God also often called the people of Israel "My People. God had great affection for His people, but He had a greater affection for His Servant, His Son.  Yet, He was willing to send and give his Servant, Whom He loved more, as a sacrifice for us.  He also gives us the privilege of being called His servants through our connection with His Son as we follow Him.  

*(Diann Cotton: 100 Days with Jesus)