Palm Sunday
Scripture: Isaiah
50:4-9a
The readings this week prepare us for Holy Week. They put us
in mind of Jesus’ humility and suffering which are essential to our salvation.
The reading today prophesies that the Lord’s servant, Jesus, will listen to God
and follow his will despite enduring indignities and suffering. He endures
trusting in God’s vindication. The account puts us in mind of Jesus’ obedience
as he went to the cross, never wavering from his Father’s will, to suffer and
die for our sin, and yet he was vindicated on Easter morning when he rose from
the dead.
Teaching
One of the important lessons of this text is that the Lord’s
servant listens to him. The first creed of the Israelites commanded them to
hear.[1]
Throughout the Scriptures God’s people are called to listen to him, to hear his
Word, and to obey it. God’s people often do not listen, and so we fall into
sin. But the servant prophesied of here, whom we identify as Jesus, does listen
and as such, despite being struck and abused, he knows how to sustain with a
word – with God’s Word and promises which give us faith and life.
The servant is confident in God’s help, and it says that he
sets his face like flint, which means that he hardens himself to follow God’s
will. He does this not out of some form of super self-discipline, but out of
confidence that God is with him to help him and vindicate him. We see this in
Jesus as he suffered beatings, disgrace, and spitting, and yet he did not turn
away from his task but endured suffering and death and was vindicated when God
raised him from the dead after his work was complete.
Life
As we prepare to observe Holy Week, whether we begin with
Sunday of the Passion or with Palm Sunday, we do well to reflect on God’s plan
of salvation for us. This account that spoke beforehand of what Jesus would
endure doesn’t flatly state it, but he endured such suffering and humiliation
for us. Let those words float in your mind – “for us,” or even, “for me!” The
listening, the obedience, the humiliation, and even setting his face like flint
was all done for us. Our response to this is one of humble thanksgiving and
imitation of our Savior.
Now we take these words as our own. “He who vindicates me is
near. Who will contend with me? … Who is my adversary? …Behold, the Lord God
helps me; who will declare me guilty?” The answer is; no one. The Lord’s
servant has redeemed you so you stand before God in full confidence of his
salvation.
Prayer
O God, you gave your Son to suffer and die for me, and he
served you by being obedient to your will. Thank you for the salvation he won
for us through his suffering and death. Forgive us for not listening to you and
for not being obedient to your Word. Forgive us for turning away from your will
and salvation. Please be our helper and vindicate us in your salvation. Forgive
us and open our ears to be attentive to you, and help us set our faces like
flint to trust you in all things. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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