Friday, March 7 2014 Isaiah 52:13-53:12 The Suffering Servant Centuries before Jesus, Isaiah wrote of the Suffering Servant. As Christians, we could interpret this passage pointing to the Messiah. Meanwhile, within its own context, it is difficult to gauge how someone could take on the sins of the nations and be made right before God. That, by far, is too big a task. But looks can deceive. The righteousness of the hidden one, the faithful servant, bears the sins of many. Unto the servant, pain and suffering are taken. This is our God, the one who walks so closely by our side and takes up our suffering. Just wait, though. The wall that divided people and caused so much suffering fell under the shadow of that tower within the glimmering, reflective cross. There is something yet to come. Even the looks of death can deceive. There is life beyond the cross. Because of that, we can live with hope. Prayer: O God, have mercy on us. Lift our eyes, we pray, to look to the cross anew, to look at the sacrifice of your son, and to look to your unconditional love that sent Jesus to the death we deserve. Amen. Rev. Helen Nusbaum, St. Peter’s UCC, South Bend
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 13:44:31 +0000