Isaiah 42:1-9

Just like we don’t know what went on in the childhood of Jesus, we don’t know what servant Isaiah is talking about here, 500 years earlier. It could be a metaphor for the nation of Israel itself. It is clear that this author, sometimes referred to as “Second Isaiah”, sees justice as an important part of what this servant will bring. To me, a much preferred mission for a heavenly servant than say, bringing wealth.

In a just nation, the suffering of one is the concern of the many. The early Christian writings draw on this part of the Torah. They were surely aware of it, possibly sang its songs, and were familiar with its concepts. Contemporary Christians seem to have forgotten that this servant is supposed to work quietly, not make his voice “heard in the street”.

Acts 10:34-43

Acts, sometimes called Luke/Acts because scholars now think it was the same author and it was intended to be one book, tells us what happened immediately after the resurrection. It has arguing; showing differences between Peter and Paul, and it develops the connection of this new theology to the old. “All the prophets testify about him” is a pretty bold statement. Unfortunately they didn’t do citations back then. This passage is read at the beginning of each New Year.

It tells us Jesus appeared to those “who were chosen”, without saying why. Appearing to more people, especially to his detractors would have made a much stronger impact, but we don’t get that. We get a new set of “chosen”. It also tells us to “do right” and to “fear” God/Jesus. Acts has a bit of discussion about just what “right” means but leaves much to be desired on that front, just like the rest of the Bible.

The word “fear” is even harder to deal with. Some churches love to stress fearing the Lord, others avoid that kind of language. When angels appear, they usually tell you to “not be afraid”, which assumes fear is a natural reaction to supernatural apparitions. In the very next verse, it says Jesus preached peace, so there is a contradiction to the fear. One way to reconcile it is to say God offers you the choice of peace if you accept his rules. If you don’t, you get death and possibly eternal torture. Some definitely do interpret it that way.

Others do what seems like a bit of linguistic gymnastics if you take the words literally, with their modern meaning. They say “fear” is respect, reverence and acknowledgment of something much bigger than us. I’ll leave it up to you. It does seem to fit the passage better that way. It is one of the most inclusive statements in the Bible. You still have to get it right, but at least there is a way for anyone anywhere to be acceptable to God, to join the community. I like the spirit of it, but the intention can get lost in the letter of it.

Matthew 3:13-17

This is a traditional Sunday to perform baptisms, so it’s a good time to bring out Jesus’ baptism. We hear from God Himself, unusual for the gospel writers, and he says almost the same thing he will say at the end of this Epiphany season, he’s pleased. At this point, Jesus has done almost nothing, so it is significant in that the father is pleased without the need for anything to show for it.

Water baptism is a cleansing ritual. John was washing away the sins of the people of Israel, making a symbolic fresh start just as Isaiah tried to do. From this passage we get that there is a plan, a fulfillment of something.

John is sometimes called the “forerunner”, preparing the way for Jesus. I don’t much care for that or see why it needs to be said. I find the scene of two leaders meeting a touching one. So much respect is being exchanged. Each honoring the contribution the other has made and the expectations of what they will do. We lose some of that meaning because we know how the story ends.