Lectionary Reading 5 April; Lent 6
Read Isaiah 50:4-9a
These verses describe God’s Suffering Servant. As we read the attributes this servant will exhibit or endure they bring to us a reminder of Jesus’ ministry. The original readers would not have had such ideas, for them, this passage prefigured the Messiah: God’s Servant who is able to speak God’s truth because the Servant is able to hear God’s truth. God’s Servant will conduct a faithful ministry despite many difficulties all because of God’s supporting power. Because the Servant is so fully obedient there is a persistence to keep on doing God’s will even when facing disgrace: Even personal abuse does not prevent the Servant from continuing God’s work. One of the key themes when we read and consider the picture of God’s Suffering Servant is to contrast this obedience with our own, for as we do, the reason for the need of a True Servant of God becomes more apparent. As this is being written all of Australia is moving towards “lock down”. This is due in part to the failure of us as Australians to act in an obedient manner. As a nation it seems we often think the rules don’t apply, at least not to us. Being under another’s control is not part of our nature or inclination! In this respect the Servant was very different.
As we begin to think more clearly about Palm Sunday and then Easter it is easy to forget that fulfilling God’s work was never going to be easy. It is a point that causes us to celebrate as we recall the work of Jesus. As we realistically face what that work demanded we begin to see how great was Jesus’ reliance on God, and what faithfulness he shows in the walk to the cross. Palm Sunday is one of the high points of the Easter story but with the thoughts of palm waving and celebration we must not forget the difficulties this triumphant entry was to bring.
Prayer:
Lord , according to your word you are always with us on the journey of life and each step of our way is known to you. Help us to trust you as both companion and guide. Give us wisdom to choose always your way and help us to fulfil your plan and purpose as we go through life’s situations. Grant that we may walk in true obedience to your will. Give us courage Lord, so that we may be ready to move beyond boundaries of our known experience and allow the mystery and the wonder of trusting in your life-giving Spirit to lead us into what is new. It is your world and we live each day through your gracious gifts, may our lives be lived to praise and honour you. This we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Read Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 118:2 NRSV
It is easy to see why this is a chosen psalm for today; the idea of a festive possession reminds us of the Triumphal Entry that Jesus makes which we celebrate in worship this Sunday. Depending on which version of the Scriptures you are using, a recurring theme in these opening verses is the idea of God’s steadfast love. Some versions use the word eternal, but steadfast adds a slightly different dimension for it reminds us that not only is God’s love eternal but it is constant. Through thick and thin, in good times and in bad, God’s love is there for it is an integral part of God’s nature: and God is ever present to us. Let us not wait until some desperate need brings us to fervent prayer, let us see that now is a good time to experience the peaceful blessing of God’s love. The psalm also makes yet another powerful statement in the last few verses when it adds, Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. (Psalms 118:19)
The psalmist makes it clear that he is more than ready to look to God for all the righteousness that is needed. Each one of us can confidently rely on God for forgiveness because this is the God whose nature is steadfast love and so can be trusted to bring each worshipper into God’s presence with righteousness and joy.
Prayer:
Lord in faith we come to receive again your unconditional grace, we come because we have so often received from your hand blessing upon blessing. May we experience today that deep sense of peace that the presence of your Holy spirit leaves with us. May your love lift us above all earthly strife, so that we may see ourselves by your side as we begin this day. Trusting in your eternal love we draw new strength from you to face another day, a day in which we will accomplish all that you desire of us. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen
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