Dearest e-votees-
We are bearing down on Holy Week. My hope and prayer is that we would find many opportunities to linger around worship during the days ahead. It is worth walking through the days and abiding in the week as it unfolds.
Rather than try to digest the entire week (the Passion narrative from Matthew) or considering the Christ hymn in Philippians 2:5-11 we will take a look at the Isaiah text that is appointed for Sunday.
Blessings on your day.
Peace,
Karl
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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 he 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; he 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; who will declare me guilty?
Isaiah 50:4-9a, NRSV
This text sets the stage well for Jesus’ final week of his mortal existence.
Jesus has indeed the tongue of a teacher. He inspires the crowd with his parables and his confounding of those trying to entrap him. He has spoken to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman in the past few weeks. And he has spoken to us as well as we have been listening in.
He wakens not only our ears but the dead as well. As Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb Jesus calls to the dead places in us. Life comes where stench and despair were found before. We are brought into the resurrection hope as Jesus calls for us to come forth.
In spite of his teaching and his healing ministry—perhaps even because of them—humanity turns on Jesus. In spite of Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry in our own lives—perhaps even because of them—we turn on Jesus. We insult him and spit on him and pull on his beard. We are the ones nailing Jesus to the cross (Mel Gibson did his best work in The Passion by acting as the one nailing Jesus to the cross). We contend with God. We are God’s adversaries.
In spite of our rebellion—perhaps even because of it—Jesus turns towards humanity with a compassionate and forgiving heart. Jesus prays for us and for all “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” Jesus offers forgiveness to the thief on the cross (traditionally named Dismas) and to us.
We can say with Isaiah: “It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?” Thanks be to God.
Jesus we praise you for this week you underwent on our behalf. Bless our times of worship as we remember how you didn’t forget us. Give us hearts and thoughts and actions that are pleasing to you. Amen.
We are bearing down on Holy Week. My hope and prayer is that we would find many opportunities to linger around worship during the days ahead. It is worth walking through the days and abiding in the week as it unfolds.
Rather than try to digest the entire week (the Passion narrative from Matthew) or considering the Christ hymn in Philippians 2:5-11 we will take a look at the Isaiah text that is appointed for Sunday.
Blessings on your day.
Peace,
Karl
------------------------
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 he 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; he 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; who will declare me guilty?
This text sets the stage well for Jesus’ final week of his mortal existence.
Jesus has indeed the tongue of a teacher. He inspires the crowd with his parables and his confounding of those trying to entrap him. He has spoken to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman in the past few weeks. And he has spoken to us as well as we have been listening in.
He wakens not only our ears but the dead as well. As Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb Jesus calls to the dead places in us. Life comes where stench and despair were found before. We are brought into the resurrection hope as Jesus calls for us to come forth.
In spite of his teaching and his healing ministry—perhaps even because of them—humanity turns on Jesus. In spite of Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry in our own lives—perhaps even because of them—we turn on Jesus. We insult him and spit on him and pull on his beard. We are the ones nailing Jesus to the cross (Mel Gibson did his best work in The Passion by acting as the one nailing Jesus to the cross). We contend with God. We are God’s adversaries.
In spite of our rebellion—perhaps even because of it—Jesus turns towards humanity with a compassionate and forgiving heart. Jesus prays for us and for all “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” Jesus offers forgiveness to the thief on the cross (traditionally named Dismas) and to us.
We can say with Isaiah: “It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?” Thanks be to God.
Jesus we praise you for this week you underwent on our behalf. Bless our times of worship as we remember how you didn’t forget us. Give us hearts and thoughts and actions that are pleasing to you. Amen.
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