Sexagesima 2025

We are in this weird hyperspace where we are acknowledging an end to Epiphanytide, but not quite yet into Lent. There are three Sundays called Gesima Sundays. Last week,

Not always sure where the names came from…

In a way we are getting ready for Lent which gets us ready for Easter. The attention will go from Epiphany’s readings about Jesus revealing himself to the nations. Now we are going to begin to focus on the Cross, Why was Jesus there and what did he accomplish.

Todays OT reading forecasts the world of Jesus on the Cross as a suffering servant.

The text.

Remember that Isaiah has sections, and what does it mean to be in section two.

The introduction of a suffering servant among the parts where we look at God’s care for returning exiles.

Verse 4

Isaiah 50:4–10 “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens me each morning; he awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed.

Vs 4: It begins with the Suffereing speaking, the first part of the chapter God was speaking and now its a different person.

The limitations of humanity are slowly removed, where in our natural state we do not always give God the praise he deserves, God has give this person a tongue to speak his praise. He makes the ear capable of hearing him.

The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn back.

Vs 5. The work of God has effectively completed its work in this person. The outcome is obedience. They are not rebellious, they are not turning from the way of God.

I gave my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who tore out my beard. I did not hide my face from scorn and spitting.

Now we see the suffereing of the suffereing servant. The title had to come from somewhere!

Verse 6: He allowed him self to be beaten, he allowed his beard to be ripped out. In the shame and honor math he allowed himself to live while being shamed.

Shame in the Bible: The exposure of humiliation

The Lord God will help me; therefore I have not been humiliated; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

Verse 7: This person is not overwhelmed by intense emotion or self pity. His is taking it with a stiff upper lip. Again shame an honor type culture at work here.

The one who vindicates me is near; who will contend with me? Let us confront each other. Who has a case against me? Let him come near me!

Verse 8: No only will shame be avoided, but there will be a vindication, a public exposure of Good.

God’s power over foes to offer vindication.

In truth, the Lord God will help me; who will condemn me? Indeed, all of them will wear out like a garment; a moth will devour them.

Verse 9: God who is the bringer of truth will expose the fraud of enemy and will also loose to the fact that God is true and eternal, in comparison

Eaten by moths.

Who among you fears the Lord and listens to his servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord; let him lean on his God.”

For those who both trust in God and are in a bad way, you are encouraged to keep your trust in him

Todays OT reading forecasts the world of Jesus on the Cross as a suffering servant.

How should modern Christians read this.

Well in the US we have not experienced the the hardship of our global neighbors.

But we do have the normal range of emotions of a fallen human experience.

We experience both betrayal and maybe even violence. How should we do so. Trusting in God’s vindication.

We need to remember that our hardships are like garments, vulnerable to Moths. Our help and comfort will be brought by the eternal God, the more we hurt the more we experience his help and comfort.

Finally we need to see Jesus in the Old Testament, God is promising the arrival of one, who in not like Adam but like a better Adam. One who is capable of living righteously. That is what Jesus accomplished. He was silent and accepting in the face of persecution and shame, again like Jesus was. We get a joy that the OT peoples did not have. we see how Jesus went about keeping the promises of Isaiah, and in that we can live without same.

Being without shame and living with the righteousness of Christ means we have the joy of being honored in stead of shamed. And as Honored guests we get a seat at the banqueting table. The communion rail is the proof that God’s people can live without shame and we can come to his table. Not just to eat the food he puts out, but to eat of him, our eternal food.