***For any fellow Lectors out there, the Lectionary says that this refers to the 2nd servant song and refers to Jesus. I do acknowledge this leaning, by falling on my sword of un-education. BUT, as much as we know that God has been working on mankind’s salvation since the first days of Adam and Eve, we Also know that the Jewish people, the Hebrews, are ‘The Chosen People’. Again, as I’ve said in previous weeks, God already had one reset with Noah and the flood, and a covenant with mankind not to destroy mankind again. The Plan (?), how does God get the whole world to love Him by choice and follow His laws, out of respect and choice?
***Remember, God creates all things for good and brings all things back to Himself. Let’s listen to how God’s own loving plan evolves… “I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is my strength. It is too little, the Lord Says, for you to be a servant, to raise up the tribes of Judah, and restore the survivors of Israel, I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” God changes from considering Israel as a servant nation (vs 3), to fulfilling the role of the Chosen People by claiming them to be a light to the nations! For me, the servant and the light ARE the nation of Israel.
***And it’s precisely, here, that my initial thoughts fall apart. The Jewish nation is still the chosen people, they have also very truly spread to all corners of this globe and have taken God with them, but their ‘light to the nations’ dims when considering Jesus, as the son of God.! With the obvious example of extinction considered off the table, I can’t think of another nation or religion that has endured as much bloodshed and hardship as the Israelites and yet they thrive. Their troubles precede even Jesus, and their troubles continue today. Since Jesus was Jewish, I think that’s why I hold an affection for our Judeo brothers and sisters. But I’m straying off subject.
It is here that Jesus picks up the baton of Suffering Servant, and Christianity continues to surge into the “Ends of the earth.”
***God brings all things unto Himself! Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 1: 1-3 is quite simply a greeting. This greeting though, gives us a glimpse into the Divine Plan. Please note the very first line of the first sentence. “I, Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth. To you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy and with all of those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.” ***Paul feels, in his soul, that he has been chosen ‘by the will of God’. Now, how cool is that.!!
***Our Gospel follows this theme that I’ve laid out very nicely. John the Apostle writes about John the Baptist’s initial thoughts and reaction to being the one to baptize Jesus. In verses 33&34 of John 1: 29-34 we enjoy, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain on Him. I did not know Him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit!’ Now, I have seen and testified that He IS the Son of God.”
*** Isaiah, Samuel, Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul, ALL men who believed in God so deeply as to realize that they were to chosen for, and required to be obedient to, a destiny more expansive than any one man, except for Jesus, could understand.! This reminds me of my #1 favorite scripture, Jer1: 3-4, “Before I was formed in the womb you knew me, before I was born you dedicated me.” ***It’s nice to know that God has always had a plan for me and that he may be pleased. My ministry here at ACM is my treasured expression of building up the kingdom of God. I hope you agree. REMEMBER: Wherever you are, God will find you, whatever you’re doing, God will use it to His Will for good. **Shalom and may God’s Joy and Love be yours always, Mark, Joy-Joy-Joy!
