A Servant Indeed

Our text from Isaiah today is the third servant song. As you may remember, second Isaiah was written sometime during the Babylonian captivity and has four psalms (or songs) that are the voice of a servant. The early church attached these psalms to Jesus, which was not a far stretch since Jesus quoted one of the servant songs when he read from Isaiah at the synagogue in Nazareth. Although when second Isaiah wrote these psalms he probably was thinking of himself. He was called by God to remind the people who they were. That task was a very difficult one. The people who had lost everything, who were held in captivity, were starting to fall away from the covenant and taking up the customs and religion of their captors. Life was probably much easier that way. God sent Isaiah to this weary and tired  people who were ready to give up.

That is why this psalm takes the form of a lament. Isaiah is lamenting the fact that the people did not seem to listen to what God called him to say. Instead they mistreated him both mentally and physically. This made his task a lonely and difficult one. But he did not turn away from his task. Even in the face of adversity and disinterest on the part of the the Israelites, Isaiah still answered God’s call to speak to God’s people. 

We read this text today because it is related to our gospel text. There Jesus asks the disciples who people think that he is and who do they think he is. We know this story well. Peter speaks both truth and fear. He knows who Jesus is but cannot see that through him God was making all things new. That is where the fear comes in. The disciples were well aware of the political structure. They could not see beyond their own plans for Jesus. That is because Jesus came to us as the suffering servant so that we might become the children of God.

Which places us into a new role in life. That of servants to the world. That is Jesus’ call to us. To answer God’s call just as Isaiah did and pick up our cross and follow Jesus instead of the sinful and adulterous world that we live in. Remember though, it may not be easy – it was not for Isaiah – but that Jesus will be present watching, guiding, giving you hope and encouragement and even carrying you at times. That is the guarantee. Isaiah knew it, James knew it, and in time the disciples learned it. You are called to this great and glorious task of sharing God’s love. Be boisterous and joyful in that task knowing that it is Jesus who calls and supports you.