Isaiah 50:4-9

THE BACKGROUND

This part of the book of Isaiah was written while God’s People were in exile in Babylon.  It is one of four passages in Isaiah written about an unnamed servant of God who is suffering for his faith.

THE DETAIL

The passage may be divided into three sections. 

  • In the first section, the servant describes his strong spiritual relationship with God. God gave him the gift of teaching & leading God’s people.  The servant is obedient to the call.  (vv. 4-5)
  • Then, he describes the consequences of his dedication to God.  He is abused both physically and mentally.  (v. 6)
  • The passage concludes with the servant’s resolve.  He puts his trust in God’s saving grace.  The others don’t stand a chance with God on his side.  (vv. 6-9)

THE TAKEAWAY

Who was this Suffering Servant?  The bible doesn’t say.  It sounds a lot like the suffering of Jesus, but this was written over 500 years before Jesus’ birth.  That doesn’t make sense.  It might have been Isaiah, suffering for his faith in far off Babylon.  In fact, it could have been many in Babylon who were struggling to be faithful to God.  Maybe it was “all of the above”, including Jesus and us.  Jesus was most certainly familiar with this passage.  As God’s Son he may have taken strength and inspiration from it.  We, too, can be inspired by it.  When our faith puts into difficult situations, we can also “set our face like flint”, and stand firm in our faith.

 

Philippians 2:5-11

THE BACKGROUND

In this part of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi he includes a hymn that was sung in the early church.  This hymn provided a perfect description of Jesus and his earthly mission. 

THE DETAIL

  • The first line is Paul’s advice to us, that we be of the same mind as the Jesus described in the hymn to follow.  (v. 5)
  • It begins by reminding us that Jesus had it all in heaven—he set all that aside.  He became human, like us.  (v. 6-7a)
  • Since he was human, he humbled himself in the most extreme way—he died on the cross. (vv. 7b-8)
  • Because of his willing sacrifice, his Father has made Jesus our Lord.  Jesus is the one whom we would worship and praise above all others.  (vv. 9-11)

THE TAKEAWAY

At the time what this was written, Caesar, the emperor of Rome, was the only one to be exalted and worshipped in this way.  Paul reminds us that a true leader of the people is not powerful, mighty and rich. A true leader is humble and self-giving. This is why we should worship Jesus as our Lord and leader.

 

Matthew 21:1-11

THE BACKGROUND

This passage from Matthew’s gospel describes Jesus praise-filled entry into the holy city of Jerusalem.  He is about to be arrested and crucified.  Remember that Matthew was writing his gospel to convince fellow Jews to claim Jesus as the Messiah.

THE DETAIL

  • Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem.  As they draw near, he sends two forward into Bethpage to get a donkey and a colt.  (vv. 1-3)
  • Why two animals?  Because it was to fulfill the scripture that says that Judah’s savior-king will enter the city in this way.  (Zecharaiah 9:9)  (vv. 4-5)
  • The disciples do as they are told.  They put their cloaks on the animals, and Jesus sat on them.  People cut branches to pave his way.  (vv. 6-8)
  • As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, they praised him saying “Hosannah to the son of David” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”!  (v. 9)
  • This riled the entire city.  Some asked who this guy was.  They described Jesus as a prophet from Galilee.  (vv. 10-11)

THE TAKEAWAY

First of all, I’m having a hard time understanding how Jesus could ride both an adult donkey and a colt at the same time!  This is the only description of this event in the gospels that mentions two animals. But Matthew was careful to point out to his Jewish readers the importance of Jesus’ fulfillment of scripture. The point is clear.  This “prophet” is no ordinary prophet.  He is the Messiah foretold by scripture, the son of David, coming to Jerusalem as their promised king.

I have often wondered what “Hosanna” meant.  We say it often in our worship service.  What am I really saying?  I had to know.  I found this definition to be helpful:

"Hosanna" is a Hebrew exclamation meaning "save us, we pray" or "please deliver us," derived from hoshiah na. While often used as a shout of praise, it is fundamentally a plea for salvation directed at the Messiah, famously shouted by crowds during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Jesus is our king, and he will save us.  Not from the tyranny of worldly leaders, but from the tyranny and weight of our sin. Hosanna to Jesus!  Hosanna in the highest!