Isaiah 42:1-9 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 42:1-9 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 42Here 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. Verse 2He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; Verse 3a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. Verse 4He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
Verse 5Thus 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: Verse 6I 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, Verse 7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. Verse 8I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. Verse 9See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
Devotion
Palm Sunday's mood is one of exuberance and hope, as Jesus rides into Jerusalem to the cheers of the Jerusalem crowds. Now the events of Holy Week begin to unfold. Jesus defies the religious authorities by overturning moneychangers' tables at the temple. On Palm Sunday the crowds acclaim him as "the Son of David." Now in these next days the authorities begin their campaign to change the mood of the populace, harassing Jesus with all sorts of challenges.
Jesus' goal was already articulated in one of Isaiah's servant songs: "... to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness" (Isaiah 42:7). But first his path will lead through suffering and death. In these next days on the streets of Jerusalem the forces of evil will gather their strength against him.
Prayer
Lord, help us through whatever times of sufferings we too experience. Amen.