Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

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Read

Isaiah 42:1-9 (NRSV)

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the LORD, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.
See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.

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Reflect

What did Jesus accomplish through his death on the cross? I have reflected on this question throughout Lent.

We must understand the work of Jesus in and through the mission and call of Israel. We see God’s plan for his servant in the prophet Isaiah’s words. The chosen one would bring forth a gentle justice. He would be persistent in establishing God’s kingdom. He would open the doors to all nations and be a welcoming light to all peoples. He would free God’s people from darkness and open our blind eyes. All this would be done because it was always God’s purpose.

God’s love for creation and humanity goes back to Eden. Jesus came that we might be called back and return to that original purpose. It is nothing less than a full restoration of the relationship that God has always desired to have with creation. Hear, with a renewed hearing, the call of the gospel to draw close to God and realize that it is possible only through the work of God’s servant, our savior Jesus.

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Pray

God of the covenant of grace, thank you for making a way for us to be in relationship with you. Through your servant Jesus you have welcomed us into your presence and called us back to our original vocation. Grant that we may love and obey your servant as your kingdom continues to be established through the work of your Spirit in and through your people. Amen.

Go with God.