Reflection -- The Suffering Servant

Holy Week begins with this Sunday of Passion, the intense concentration on the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The palm ceremonies which are a popular and a conspicuous feature of this Sunday have been so prominent as to give the familiar name to this day as Palm Sunday. While we the church are quick to celebrate the joyous entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of the week, we often overlook what is being celebrated. What is in reality being celebrated is that Christ the king, a sovereign who reigns and triumphs paradoxically on the tree of the cross willingly followed his servant call to torture, humiliation and death.

What the church celebrates is an announcement of the theme of victory over the forces of sin and death culminating with God coming to humanity in power and might, concealed in humility and apparent weakness. This week begins with the grand entry into Jerusalem showing God’s way of working the transformation of the world.

Today’s text, the third of Isaiah's "Suffering Servant Songs," combines submission with strength. The text shows the servant as having absolute belief and trust in the purposefulness of his call, no matter the circumstances which may befall him. The servant accepts the call trusting in God.

What the Christian should hear is the voice of Jesus, who clarified and fulfilled the meaning of servanthood. It is Christ who follows his calling, clear and steadfast in his belief that God has not abandoned him and God’s victory is sure.

For us, this servant song is a blueprint for discipleship for it illustrates how theory and practice must be one for any follower of Christ. Moving between knowing the content of salvation and doing the work of discipleship, we are to endure because we also know that God is savior and has the ultimate victory. We have learned what is expected of us as disciples. Now, having that knowledge, we are called and expected to do. This inseparable relationship between knowing and doing is the heart of Passion Sunday.

MawBarker

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Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning God wakens - wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.

I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; the One who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

It is the Lord God who helps me.

 [NRSV]