8. How do the Messiah’s own people react to him, but to whom does the Messiah look to judge his success?

⁸ Is it not true, though, that Jesus is despised and rejected by most of his own people? Yes. By and large, the nation of Israel does not accept Jesus as God’s anointed Servant. (John 1:11) All that Jesus accomplishes while on earth might seem to his contemporaries to be of little value, even insignificant. This apparent failure in his ministry is alluded to next by the Messiah: “It is for nothing that I have toiled. For unreality and vanity I have used up my own power.” (Isaiah 49:4a) These statements are not made because the Messiah is discouraged. Consider what he says next: “Truly my judgment is with Jehovah, and my wages with my God.” (Isaiah 49:4b) The Messiah’s success is to be judged, not by men, but by God.

¹⁰ Today, Jesus’ followers may at times feel as if they are toiling for nothing. In some places, the results of their ministry may seem insignificant when compared with the amount of work and effort expended. Still, they endure, encouraged by the example of Jesus. They are also strengthened by the words of the apostle Paul, who wrote: “Consequently, my beloved brothers, become steadfast, unmovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.”​—1 Corinthians 15:58.