Created to Serve; Isaiah 42

May the mumbling commence!

In today’s reading, we have the first Servant texts from Isaiah.  Read it below:

            "Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

                        my chosen one in whom I delight;

            I will put my Spirit on him

                        and he will bring justice to the nations. 

            He will not shout or cry out,

                        or raise his voice in the streets. 

            A bruised reed he will not break,

                        and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

            In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 

                        he will not falter or be discouraged

            till he establishes justice on earth.

                        In his law the islands will put their hope." 

            This is what God the Lord says –

            he who created the heavens and stretched them out,

                        who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,

            who gives breath to its people,

                        and life to those who walk on it: 

            "I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;

                        I will take hold of your hand.

            I will keep you and will make you

                        to be a covenant for the people

                        and a light for the Gentiles, 

            to open eyes that are blind,

                        to free captives from prison

                        and to release from the dungeon

                        those who sit in darkness. (42:1-7)

Many Christian scholars believe that these Servant texts from Isaiah point to Jesus.  Looking at this text, I cannot help but see the recurring refrain to bring justice.  The Servant, the Chosen One, will come forth to delight the Lord by bringing justice.  But it is not a justice that we would readily recognize.  Our mortal eyes look upon justice as revenge – vindictive and strong.  The Servant of the Lord will not shout or bruise or snuff out, neither will he falter.  The justice of the Lord restores.  It does not tear down.

And the Lord calls us to righteousness.  Even though we fail God time after time, the Lord still keeps us and seeks to form us.  Our purpose is to be a covenant people, faithful to our Lord alone.  If we can accomplish this feat, then we will be a light to those who do not know.  We will be an ingredient that the Lord uses to create the salve to open the eyes of the blind.  We will be a notch in the key that sets the captives free.  We will be asked to follow in Jesus’ footsteps – to accept the ridicule, to suffer, and to receive the glory that awaits us in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus has shown us how to answer the call of the Lord.  The only question that remains is: Will you and I do likewise?

Form me, O God, through the work of your Holy Spirit, into the man you have created me to be.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out