Grace, Mercy, and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Prophet Isaiah (chp. 50) speaks by the inspiration of the Spirit of the obedient servant. He writes that the servant is ready to confront His accusers because He knows that Yahweh will be His help. He writes that the servant did not hide his face from mocking and spitting. The suffering servant was obedient to the Father; even to the point of death (Phil. 2). He embraced His mission with unyielding commitment. He embraced His mission for the glory of the Father, the exaltation of His name, and the salvation of the world.
The suffering servant entered Jerusalem in cheers only to be crucified a few days later. But none of this was unexpected. He knew the crowds would cry out His Name; He knew that some would follow and some would turn away. The Servant of Yahweh knew that His death would mean the bringing in the world, so He suffers and dies that those in Him might live.
As the Holy Week commences, we know that Yahweh will vindicate His servant, and because He is vindicated we too are vindicated in Him.
Let us Pray: Almighty and everliving God,
in your tender love towards us
you sent your Son to take our nature upon him,
and to suffer death upon the cross;
grant that we may follow the example
of his great humility
and share in his glorious resurrection:
through him who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Amen.
