Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NRSVUE)
The blizzard that late Friday afternoon looked much worse on top of the hill where Southwood stands and my worry about getting home safely got the best of me. I locked up the church 30 minutes before closing time, assuming no one would drive out there in that snow storm. I was wrong. The wonderful kind-hearted soul who made the trek that day is one of the most servant-hearted Jesus-like people I know. I found out about his futile trip and felt terrible, despite his kind reassurance that it was not a big deal. He had gone to the church to pick up something for clients of one of our community mission partners. He sacrificed his safety for the good of others. It’s just one example of all the ways he serves others with a humble heart. A true servant who lives out his life the way Jesus taught us.
In today’s scripture, the prophet Isaiah predicted that Christ would come as our healer. Christ was not punished for things he had done, but for the sins we had committed. His ultimate sacrifice was to endure suffering and even death so that we may be healed by the promise of eternal life. This is the story of our sinfulness and God’s infinite unconditional love for us.
Isaiah’s glimpse into the future is not the end of the story. Jesus did, indeed, die for our sins. But, it was the example Jesus set of how we are to love one another that is an important part of this story. One example is in the healing power Jesus gave to Peter in healing a man who had been lame since birth. Peter never asked for a pat on the back, but gave all the glory to Jesus. He had been given that power and lived it out, sacrificially, so that others could heal.
Just as Jesus demanded sacrificial love from his disciples, he also asks that of us today. Sacrificial love is what can change the world. It turns enemies into friends and softens hearts. It’s what makes people drive through a blinding snowstorm to provide what others may need. It’s what the Church does when it comes together for the greater good, regardless of our differences. May we give God the glory and be like Jesus every chance we get. Others are counting on us. Let’s be that example.
Question for Reflection:
- What might you learn from the most servant-hearted Jesus-like person you know?
Prayer
Loving God, thank you for sending Jesus into this world to teach us about sacrificial love. Thank you for the power you gave people like Peter, and to us today, to make positive change. May we use it wisely. Amen.
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