Lent Week 4

Isaiah 42: 1 - 9
 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen one in whom I delight;
 I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will bring justice to the nations.
 2 
 He will not shout or cry out,
    or raise his voice in the streets.
 3 
 A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
 In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
 4 
     he will not falter or be discouraged
 till he establishes justice on earth.
    In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
 5 
 This is what God the Lord says—
 the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
    who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
    who gives breath to its people,
    and life to those who walk on it:
 6 
 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
    I will take hold of your hand.
 I will keep you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people
    and a light for the Gentiles,
 7 
 to open eyes that are blind,
    to free captives from prison
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
 8 
 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
    I will not yield my glory to another
    or my praise to idols.
 9 
 See, the former things have taken place,
    and new things I declare;
 before they spring into being
    I announce them to you.”

We near the midpoint of the lenten season, where we find ourselves confronted with the weight of the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and self-denial. While engaging in these practices serves to remind us of Christ’s sacrificial journey, in part they also illuminate the inherent struggle of attempting to play the role of our own savior. While temporary acts of piety may seem manageable, envisioning a lifetime of such restraint unveils the profound burden it imposes. This burden mirrors the futile endeavor of attempting to secure our place in heaven through our own merit.

Therefore, our lenten journey prompts us to turn to Isaiah 43: 1 - 9. where the prophet vividly portrays a chosen servant, one in whom God delights and upon whom His Spirit rests. Contrary to expectations of grandeur or power, this servant embodies gentleness and humility. His mission is not to crush the broken or extinguish faint hope, but to herald justice and instill hope among the nations.

Through this servant, our salvation finds its source. Isaiah’s words echo the hope that lies in Christ and underscore the inadequacy of our own efforts. We cannot save ourselves through our own works. Our righteousness is as filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). The chosen servant, foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ, offers us release from this burden of self-salvation. He is the embodiment of God's grace and mercy, the one who bore our sins upon the cross so that we might be set free.

During this Lenten season, let us continue to reflect on the example of the servant and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Let our pious acts of restraint remind us that we are released from the burden of trying to save ourselves. As we continue our journey towards Easter, may we find rest in the promise of redemption and renewal that Christ offers to all who believe.

May the following be your prayer: Thank you for sending your chosen servant, Jesus Christ, to release us from the burden of trying to save ourselves. Help us to surrender our striving and trust in your saving grace. As we journey through Lent, may we find strength in your presence and hope in the promise of resurrection. Amen.