Scripture Study for

In the Isaian passage, God presents an unnamed servant: chosen,  upheld, and pleasing to God, who has endowed the servant with the divine spirit. This enables him to serve God faithfully. The nature of  his service is to bring forth justice, not just to Israel, as one might  expect, but also to the nations, establishing justice “on the earth.”  The Hebrew word for justice, mishpat, here refers to the restoration of God’s order. This “victory for justice” will not be accomplished through physical or military force. Instead the servant will bring the nations into covenantal relationship with God, opening up the path for God’s light and healing. 

Cornelius is a Roman centurion who, as a “devout and God-fearing” man (Acts 10:2), has always treated the Jews with respect.  Just before the present scene, Peter has received a vision in which he is commanded to eat “profane and unclean” food (10:9–16), which he interprets to mean that the mission of Christ is to be extended to the Gentiles. Thus, we hear him say today that God shows no partiality regarding nationality. While it is true that Jesus himself was sent to the Israelites, he is Lord of all, and thus the healing ministry begun in him is now extended beyond the bounds of ethnic  Israel to encompass all those who believe in him and accept the offer of forgiveness of sins (10:43). 

Matthew notes that Jesus went to John in the wilderness specifically to be baptized. In response to John’s question, Jesus does  not suggest that he needs to receive John’s baptism for repentance  (3:11), but “to fulfill all righteousness.” Righteousness here means doing God’s will, and it has been suggested that by being baptized,  Jesus is placing himself in solidarity with the sinners he will save.  In any case, the baptism is the occasion for a confirmation of his identity as God’s Son and the empowerment for his mission by the  Holy Spirit, who will immediately lead him into the wilderness.