In last week’s homily, I explained that, although the book of the prophet Isaiah was written about 800 years prior to Jesus’ ministry, the prophet was very clearly pointing to the anticipated Messiah. In the passage last week, Isaiah foretold of the work of the Messiah and his opening of ears and tongues. Today’s passage points to the Messiah as the obedient servant. Later in Isaiah, he describes the trials of the “suffering servant” which graphically predicts Jesus’ passion.
Today’s passage begins with the servant acknowledging that the Lord God has taught him to speak and enabled him to hear. Thus, the Lord both enables and is the source of this prophetic calling, the servant’s obedience to the Lord God initiates his speech and hearing. The servant says that he is obedient even to the point of suffering at the hands of his enemies: “I have given my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.”
The servant actively chooses to accept the conflict that arises through his proclamation of the truth. The abuse that the servant’s enemies inflict upon him foretells the abuse suffered by Jesus as He obediently endured His passion and death. The passage concludes with the servant acknowledging that, despite the harsh trials that he endures, the Lord God is his help. Thus, the prophet suggests that, obedience to God is an important objective and that, with God’s help, suffering can be endured.
Often suffering is a source of shame for individuals and communities. Yet, in this passage, the Lord God vindicates the honor of the servant. Because of God’s help, the servant will “not be put to shame” and his enemies will not be able to “contend” against him or declare him guilty. God’s help is the source of the servant’s confidence and hope in the midst of suffering. Some 800 years later, Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. Abuse and insults were heaped upon Him. His back was beaten, His face was hit, and He was spit upon. Yet, He was obedient to the Father unto death, and the Father vindicated Him by resurrecting Him. It is remarkable that the words that God presented through the Prophet Isaiah were so precisely reflected in the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
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