10 April 2022 Palm Sunday

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;

From Isaiah 50:4-7, NRSV

Today’s Old Testament Reading comes from one of the “servant songs” from the Book of Isaiah. It speaks of a servant who suffers on behalf of the people to redeem them from their sins. The cost of being faithful to God is clear as is God’s faithfulness to his servant. There are various interpretations of who this servant might be. For some, the subject is Isaiah himself trying to make some sense of his life as a prophet during the difficult period of exile. Others say the servant could represent the nation of Israel and its relationship with God. For Christians, the text also provides a parallel with Jesus’ journey through the suffering of the Cross to Resurrection.

• • Was it possible for Isaiah to have avoided suffering and insult?
  • Have you experienced God’s presence and help during a time of suffering?

As we enter Holy Week, consider what you can do to journey with Jesus through his last days.