#DailyDevotion Jesus Listens To The Father. Will You Listen To Jesus?
Isaiah 504The Lord GOD gives Me the speech of the learned, so that I know how to talk to encourage the weary. Morning after morning He wakes Me to hear, so I will listen like a learner. 5The Lord GOD opened My ears, and I didn’t resist or turn away. 6I gave My back to those who strike it and My cheeks to those who pluck the hair out of My beard. I haven’t turned My face away from those who insult Me and spit on Me. 7The Lord GOD helps Me; this is why I’m not overcome with shame. So I’ve set My face like a flint; I know I’ll not be shamed, 8because He is near Who justifies Me. Does anyone want to argue with Me? Let us confront each other. Will anyone oppose Me in this case? Let him come near Me. 9 See, the Lord God helps Me; Who then will condemn Me?
Such is the Old Testament reading for the Sunday of the Passion. It is quite appropriate as one heads into Holy Week. The first couple of verses open our eyes into the life of our LORD Jesus Christ. Jesus said several times, mostly in John, he does not say anything other than what the Father had given him to say. Thus Isaiah’s prophesy is fulfilled, “The Lord GOD gives Me the speech of the learned, so that I know how to talk to encourage the weary.” We should note that when English translations use “Lord GOD” the Hebrew behind that is “Lord Yahweh”: Yahweh being the personal name of God given to the Israelites and Lord designating that he is in control of everything.
The Father opened Jesus’ ears to hear his plan of salvation for the world and the people he created and Jesus did not resist or run away. In the Gospel lessons during Lent we often hear Jesus telling his disciples that he would be rejected by the Jewish rulers, he would suffer and die and on the third day rise again. Even Moses and Elijah told Jesus as much on the mount of Transfiguration. This text from Isaiah opens our minds a bit to what Jesus was heading for and what he would experience in Jerusalem on Good Friday. The Gospel accounts how Jesus was flogged, by Pilate’s men and by Herod’s men. Jesus did not turn his back away from this. They tell how the Jewish rulers and their guards abused Jesus in their courts. They insulted him and spit on him. The Roman guards also pummeled Jesus, insulted him and spit on him. The Jewish crowds incited by the Jewish leaders did similarly.
Yet in all this Jesus knew this was going to happen to him. The Father had directed him to it to redeem mankind. Jesus knew in the end the Father helps him. He would not be overcome with the shame that set upon him by his enemies (whom he was redeeming). With such confidence in the Father Jesus set his face like flint and went headlong into fray. The Father would justify Jesus on the third day by raising him from the dead. Jesus calls upon us all to reason with him and to argue with him. Is he the Messiah, the suffering servant of the LORD? Who else has the Father raised from the dead never to die again because he was sinless? Who can condemn Jesus as he is risen from the dead?
Set your face on Jesus who endured the scorn and shame. When persecution comes set your face like a flint knowing Jesus will never leave you or abandon you. He will justify your faith in him as you are raised from the dead as he was. Open your ears and listen to him and do what he says.
Almighty God and Father, you showed us Jesus, your Son, as our Messiah, the savior of the world through his suffering and resurrection. Grant us faith in him that we too may be justified in him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Thank you