Dear Readers and Listeners,
Our watchword for the week following the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 42 verse 3, “A bruised reed He will not break and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out,” (NRSVB). The prophet Isaiah prophesied regarding the Suffering Servant of the Lord, the Messiah, who would not cry out or shout loudly, but be gentle with those who were weak. He would not allow those who were injured and hurt to suffer rejection, for he would reinstate them and make they part of a community. The Suffering Servant would be acquainted with grief and sorrow, he would therefore have great pity on those who suffer, and graciously support them and give them new hope. Unlike the mighty heroes of the ages, he would never fail in his purpose, nor would he be discouraged. He would establish righteousness and justice in the world and use his power, not to build a military or political kingdom, but the kingdom of heaven; where the blind will receive their sight, the deaf their hearing and those in darkness of despair, would receive hope.
The Suffering Servant would shine the light of truth and love in the darkness of the prisons where people have been confounded. The work of the Suffering Servant would be wrought on earth, as he would die for the people of the world, but the work would continue as the nations of the world, and her people, are taught of his life and love, his death and his resurrection. Christ, the Messiah, the Suffering Servant, has overcome death, through his death and resurrection. He claimed the victory over death and condemnation for us and promises that this life, despite its hardships and sorrow, will transport us to new life. He has plans and purposes for each and everyone and bestows on each one infinite worth and immeasurable value, for he loves his creatures unconditionally from eternity to eternity.
God promised Israel in the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 26 verse 12, “And I will walk in and with and among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people,” (Amplified Bible). When Christ came in human form to dwell on the earth, born as a baby in Bethlehem, God came to live among the people in the flesh, for Jesus Christ, is the Enfleshed Word of God, the Living Word. The promise given to Moses was fulfilled as the Suffering Servant, spoken of by the prophets, came to earth to live with humans. Jesus Christ shared the pains and suffering of humanity, and had deep empathy will the people of the world. His empathy was shown as he died on the Cross to save humanity and restore the relationship between God and humans. Because we have been reconciled to God, we as humans can be reconciled to each other. Not only does God walk among us, “but in Him we life and move and have our being,” as the Apostle Paul taught in Acts 17 verse 28. This is the God whom we serve. He who came to serve us with his life and death and resurrections, continues to serve us, for he prepares the table before us and invites us to the psalm twenty-three banquet.
The Apostle John writes in his First Letter, Chapter 1 verses 3 and 4, “Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete,” (NRSVB). The Apostles of Jesus, in their journey to fulfil the commandment of Christ to go and make disciples, became joyous as they experienced how people turned to embrace the Gospel of Christ. They wrote down letters to the converts to encourage them as the suffered persecution and hardship, however, despite the suffering, the apostles and converts stayed true in their faith in Jesus, through the grace of God and gift of the Holy Spirit. Nor persecution, nor death, nor any power on earth or in heaven can separate us from the love of Christ. The faith of the believers is the joy that filled the Apostles, for they saw the fruit of the gift of the Gospel, bringing light, love and life-everlasting in the world that was once held in darkness.
Father, we thank you that our Lord has infinite compassion on us and made his home among us. We thank you for the indwelling of your word and spirit within us. Help us to live in, with and under the joy of our salvation, this we pray in the Name of your Son, our Lord Jesus, Amen.