Isaiah 42:1-9  The Servant, a Light to the Nations

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.
2He will not cry or lift up his voice,
   or make it heard in the street;
3a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
   he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4He will not grow faint or be crushed
   until he has established justice in the earth;
   and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

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:
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,
7   to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
   from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8I am the Lord, that is my name;
   my glory I give to no other,
   nor my praise to idols.
9See, the former things have come to pass,
   and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
   I tell you of them. 

As we enter Holy Week, we embark upon a roller-coaster ride filled with many emotions.  But the week begins with this passage from Isaiah.  Since there are scriptures assigned to every day of Holy Week, this is an indication that the church has long connected Isaiah’s words with the last days of Jesus’ ministry.  It is a servant song, about the Messiah for whom Israel longed.  It speaks of how God’s justice might be accomplished. Certainly, there would be truth spoken to power.  There would be a dramatic redistribution of wealth. 

But it would not happen in ways we expect.  This servant will be a witness, a light to the nations.  Light, to people who have grown accustomed to gloom.  Light enough to open the eyes of those whose vision has failed them.  Light to free those imprisoned in the darkness.  Light to change the human way of relating to this wonderful and troubled world. 

How do you experience that light in your life?  Where do you see your life reflecting the light of justice in our world?

To offer reflections on this day, go to www.fccorange.com/blog 
(Other texts for Monday of Holy Week – Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11)