January 9, 2017

2nd Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture:  Isaiah 49:1-7

This passage comes from the part of Isaiah which contains many messianic prophecies and speaks of God’s salvation. The focus shifts from the impending exile of Judah to Babylon to focus on the world’s captivity to sin and the salvation God’s servant, who is Jesus, will bring. In this particular passage God makes clear that the salvation that he has in store for Israel will not be only for Israel. It will be for all nations as well. In this season of Epiphany, this passage gives us hope and joy that the LORD’s salvation is for all people regardless of their ethnic background and social status.

Teaching

The reading begins, “Listen to me….” So, who are we listening to? The one speaking here is the Servant of the Lord, one of the prophesied identities of Jesus. Some six-hundred years before his birth, he speaks through the prophet to reveal his character and ministry to us.

From the beginning of this reading we are to see that Jesus is God’s tool and servant. But to what end? To the end that he will save Israel, but not Israel alone. “It is too light a thing,” God says, that his servant should raise up Israel and redeem those who believed long ago in his salvation. Indeed, nothing short of salvation for the whole earth is in order.

That being said, the nature of that salvation is cast in a strange light. The servant says, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity….” This puts us in mind of Jesus’ death and the humiliating end to his life. The nature of Jesus’ salvation is that it looks like defeat. This is often true for Christians today, for is not our ultimate victory found when we die and are welcomed into our Lord’s presence? Yet this salvation is certain because God has ordained it and it is done in his power.

Life

Jesus’ identity in Isaiah is often that of the Servant. What does that mean for us? What does it mean for us that Jesus’ victory, and by extension our victory, looks like defeat?

There is great humility on display for us in the way Jesus reveals himself. He could have come in glory and power, indeed, someday he will do this! He chose instead to live humbly and God’s servant among us. Trusting in the one who sent him, Jesus performed the ministry he was given trusting God for the outcome. How might we follow our savior’s pattern?

Prayer

O God, you teach us the way of humility through the life, ministry, and death of your servant and Son. Thank you for the salvation he won for us through his obedience and for the pattern that he set for us that we might live humbly trusting in you as well. It is true that we have often desired strength and success over humility and sacrifice in our own lives. Please forgive us! Grant us your Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith and to form our hearts and minds so that we might gladly live our lives as our savior lived his. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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