I once saw a picture of two bunnies standing next to their carrot crops. Beside the bunny to the left, a slight green stalk was coming up from the ground. It was barely a twig, not even reaching the top of the bunny’s ears. He was sad. In contrast, the bunny to the right had a big stalk. Next to its owner, it looked almost like a tree, covering his head and ears and even providing the proud bunny with shade.

However, the viewer of the picture could see what, unbeknownst to the bunnies, was beneath the ground. The small stalk was connected to a carrot five times the size of the bunny it belonged to, while the big stalk was attached to a teeny–tiny carrot, barely a sliver. The meaning was clear: Don’t judge the work until the crop is reaped, for appearances can be misleading. As in the adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” the bunny farmers shouldn’t judge their crops by their stalks.

Though just a silly picture, this image evokes words from Isaiah 49. In this chapter, the prophet foresees the coming Servant, Jesus Christ. This Servant will fulfill the purpose of the nation of Israel (v. 3), deliver the nation, and be a light to the Gentiles (v. 6). However, Isaiah also speaks of this Servant’s rejection. This coming Servant will suffer, be rejected, be hated, and ultimately be killed by His people.

In light of this rejection, the Servant cries out in 49:4a, saying:

Then I said, “I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain…”

The Servant laments because, at first glance, His work seems to have been useless. His labors for the nation would show no visible profit, for it would reject Him (53:3-12, John 1:11). Like the bunny on the left, whose tiny twig causes him to despair, the Lord’s work seems to be profitless. And yet, the Suffering Servant does not end His cry on this note, but continues, saying:

“Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord,
And my work with my God(emphasis added).” Is 49:4b

Despite appearances, the Lord is confident of a fruitful crop. He is assured of His just reward from the Father, for His work was done for God. Later, in chapter 50, He makes a similar statement, saying:

“For the Lord God will help Me;
Therefore I will not be disgraced;
Therefore I have set My face like a flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.” Isa 50:7

These are shocking declarations in light of all that the Lord would endure. The Son trusts in the Father and is assured of His deliverance and vindication. While the Lord suffered the shame of the Cross, He knew that the Father would not let the shame stand. He would be rewarded for His effort, first in the Resurrection and ultimately at His Second Coming, when He will judge the world and reign for all eternity.

Constable comments on Isa 49:4:

When Jesus Christ died, it appeared that He had accomplished very little. Most people regarded His life as a waste…Nevertheless, the Servant’s work would please God, if not men. Man’s justice gave Messiah the Cross, but God’s justice gave Him the crown. The Servant would commit His work to God and trust Him for a just reckoning.” (D. L. Constable, “Isaiah 49,” Lumina)

The Savior’s certainty of His Father’s faithfulness and justice is a profound example for believers today. The author of Hebrews tells us to look, as our example, to the Lord, who endured the shame of the cross for the joy set before Him (Heb 12:1-3). The Lord knew that His suffering would result in a crown, and that He would sit down at the right hand of the throne of God. As faithful believers consider their work and suffering, they should remember that they, too, have been given a promise of reward and vindication for faithful work done.

Yet, it can become easy to despair and grow weary, thinking that all has been done in vain (Heb 12:3, Gal 6:9). People reject the message of grace. Perhaps years of ministry crumble as sin and heresy infiltrate the church. Much of what is done for the Lord looks like the stalk of the bunny on the left, an insignificant twig. However, like our Savior before us, we too can have confidence in the Father. What is done for Him has eternal value (Rom. 8:18, 31-39, Heb 11:35-40).

In the words of one hymn writer:

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

(Edward Mote, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”)