The Suffering Glory of the Servant, Part Two

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:10-12

I hung up the phone, shaken and sad. A friend and I were working through a tough spot in our relationship. It wasn’t a lovely conversation.

Small moments in community can overwhelm and make us feel like the whole endeavor of loving the human race is highly overrated. But what if God is at work in the midst of these small crushings?

Sometimes, I end up in the corner, licking my wounds and deciding that it’s not worth it. I decide that pouring out my life is foolishness and that keeping a full glass of myself might actually be what God meant. It hurts too much to see the water of my love spill out and immediately disappear onto the dry, parched ground of those around me.

But Jesus knew better.

He knew that though he poured himself out on the altar for the sins of many, he would have many brothers and sisters and sons and daughters. He knew that though he suffered, he would see the light of life rise to dawn.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you decided that loving those around you is too hard and just not worth it? Have you given yourself wiggle room that doesn’t reflect what Jesus has called you to? Reflect on the rewards described from this passage in Isaiah. Can you see the joy? Spend some time letting God show you a picture of the joy set before you, helping you to endure the particular cross you’ve been called to carry.

PRAYER: Lord, you suffered for the great joy set before you. Send us your Holy Spirit today to take our eyes off of the crosses we carry and give us a picture of the goodness that you will bring about through our obedience. Amen.