The beat goes on in Holy Week as we anticipate a sacred meal before descending into the dark depths of the crucifixion only to arise to new life in Easter glory. The First Testament images we ponder come from Isaiah and a series of songs about the Suffering Servant:
Hear me, O islands,
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
Yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God. Continue reading →