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?
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