“Who has believed what
we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord
been revealed?
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by others;
a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity;
and as one from whom others hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him of no account.”
Isaiah 53:1-3
In September, 1986 the Des Plaines River flooded. Actually it flooded twice in two years. I was a student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, with a field education assignment at the Des Plaines Church. The pastoral staff of the church went out to the homes of church members to bring both spiritual and practical assistance. At many homes we were directed to the home of a neighbor who “had it worse than me.” At the other homes no one was present because the resident had left to assist their neighbors.
I realized that the most compassionate people were those who themselves were struggling. Empathy comes not from ease, but from hardship. Ease and privilege often result in apathy or disdain for those less fortunate. That’s not the way it is supposed to be. And yet when someone who has been successful engages in philanthropy they are accused of base motives, such as trying to assuage their guilt, or to buy popularity. This is because those in relative ease try to justify their lack of empathy and selfishness by questioning the motives or intelligence of the good. In popular culture being good is made bad, or foolish, or encouraging of bad behavior. (You can ask Niki and Michael about this. They were literally yelled at for tending to a person experiencing homelessness!)
The scripture passage above is the prophecy of the “Suffering Servant” which Christians view as foretelling and describing Jesus. The Messiah comes to us not in glory to dictate from on high, but as one of us, able to know what it is to be like us. Jesus comes to us in our dire situation. He knows pain, and rejection, and is “acquainted with infirmity.” Because of this, he can bear our grief and help us in our struggle.
And, bringing new life, he invites us to meet others where they are. Even as we ourselves are struggling, we can reach out to others. In fact, this reaching out affirms that God is at work in us. Jesus invites us to be suffering servants and wounded healers. When we are humbled, God lifts us through joyous outreach.
Right now, around the world, just about everyone is struggling with the pandemic and its effects. On top of that, much of our nation is dealing with bitter cold. Our friends in Texas seem to have it the worst.
I invite you to affirm the work that God is doing in you and through you – even as we struggle with our isolation and the burdens of pandemic life – by reaching out in prayer, comfort, and service to the people of Texas. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is already there. You can participate in the work of UMCOR by making a donation through the Church. Whether you give by check, envelope, or electronically, just note that the gift is to go to UMCOR or “Texas Aid” and we will make sure it goes to that – 100% (Your regular giving to the church pays all the overhead and fundraising expenses).
Thank you, Jesus for meeting us where we are. Thank you for bringing us to yourself. Thank you for working is us to heal others even as we are being healed. Please, Jesus, bring strength and hope, light and warmth, to the hurting people of Texas, our nation, and the world. Amen.
Your questions for Sunday:
1. What does it mean to have death pass over you?
2. What are the differences between an outward and an inward covenant?
3. How can you prepare yourself to honor your covenant with God?