Thilini De Visser Kodikara (Sri Lanka), serves as the leader of OM in Sri Lanka and is married to Theekshana Kodikara. Before joining OM, Thilini co-led the Young Professionals Leader Development initiative with A3 (formerly Asian Access). She also works as a Marriage and Family Counsellor in Sri Lanka. Thilini studied at Biola University and Asbury Theological Seminary. She is passionate about leadership development and holistic care for individuals and families, and has a heart for walking alongside others in their personal and spiritual journey.
“And his name will be the hope of all the world.” – Matthew 12:21 (NLT)
When I reflect on this verse, I’m drawn to the surrounding context in Matthew 12. The Pharisees had just begun plotting to kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus quietly withdrew. Crowds still followed Him, and He healed them — but He asked them not to speak of Him. At first glance, this might seem like Jesus was simply avoiding trouble. But Matthew tells us that this moment — His withdrawal, His warning for silence — was in fulfillment of a prophecy spoken centuries earlier by Isaiah.
Isaiah had foretold the coming of a chosen servant — deeply loved by God, empowered by His Spirit, and sent to proclaim justice to the nations. This servant would not shout or quarrel; His voice wouldn’t rise above the noise in the streets. He wouldn’t crush the bruised or extinguish those barely holding on. Instead, He would bring justice gently, steadily — all the way to victory. And this is the name, Isaiah says, in which the nations will put their hope.
This is the picture Matthew is painting for us — not just of what Jesus did, but of who He is and how He moves.
It’s significant that Matthew draws attention to this prophecy at a time when the early Church wasn’t yet formed — when structures, programs and strategies didn’t define ministry. And yet, even in that context, Isaiah’s vision of the Messiah was one of quiet strength and deep intentionality — not performance, not public display, but healing presence.
Today, the world we live in is far more crowded — with noise, with opinions, with systems and strategies. And yet, many churches are sensing a shift. Across the global Church, there’s a growing conviction to return to something simpler and more intentional — to move away from program-heavy, strategy-driven ministry and toward relational, Spirit-led discipleship. People are craving presence more than performance, connection more than activity. And this gentle, quiet, justice-bringing Jesus — the Servant described by Isaiah — speaks directly to that longing.
We’ve seen this lived out in our ministry in Sri Lanka. Through OM’s Micro Business Development Ministry, we’ve had the privilege of reaching some of the least-reached and most impoverished communities — including one in a rural area that has long been caught in generational cycles of poverty, often surviving through garbage collection or prostitution.
One of our partners, a missionary doctor, has been serving this community for years. She shared the story of one woman:
“After trying to encourage her in many ways, I finally felt like giving up last year. I just didn’t know how to help her break the generational cycle of bad habits. But it’s been nine months since the micro business training, and she is now running a small shop from her room — making a little income that’s helping her family. It isn’t much. But what OM did was not only share the hope of the good news with her, but also give her a tool that brings hope to her future.”
That is the kind of hope Jesus brings. It’s quiet. It doesn’t always look impressive from the outside. But it is lasting, redemptive and real.
As I reflect on Matthew’s words, I’m reminded that hope doesn’t always come in loud declarations or dazzling displays. Sometimes, it comes through quiet perseverance. Through justice lived out gently. Through showing up — again and again — for the bruised reeds and flickering wicks in our communities. This is the kind of servant Jesus is. This is the one Isaiah prophesied — the One in whom the nations will put their trust.
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