First Sunday in ordinary Time Year A 8th January 2023
Lectionary readings: Isaiah 42 v1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10 v34-43; Matthew 3 v13-17.
The Lord God’s Servant.
The (second) prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Israel during their time of exile in Babylonia. I think that Isaiah’s reference to the Lord God’s servant is about God’s chosen people not a specific individual. God is speaking through his prophet to encourage the faithful and to give them hope for the future.
God said, “I chose you to bring justice and I am here at your side. I selected and sent you to bring light and my promise of hope to the nations.” (Isaiah 42 v6).
This echoes God’s promise that Abraham’s descendants would be a blessing to the nations of this world. (see Genesis 12 v2).
It is easy for us as Christians to read parts of Isaiah’s prophecy as referring to Jesus when we read verses such as,
“Here is my servant! I have made him strong. He is my chosen one; I am pleased with him. I have given him my Spirit and he will bring justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42 v1)
Especially so when we remember how Matthew describes the baptism of Jesus.
So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out of the water, the sky opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove. The a voice from heaven said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.” (Matthew 3 v16, 17).
A few years later, the apostle Peter, guided by the same Holy Spirit, said, “Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. All who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name.” (Acts 10 v 34, 43b).
We have been blessed, so that we may be a blessing to others.
Fred Pratt Green explains the significance of Jesus’ baptism with these words,
(Singing the Faith 233).
When Jesus came to Jordan to be baptised by John,
he did not come for pardon, but as his Father’s Son.
He came to share repentance with all who mourn their sins,
to speak the vital sentence with which good news begins.
He came to share temptation, our utmost woe and loss,
for us and our salvation to die upon the cross.
So when the dove descended on him, the Son of Man,
the hidden years had ended, the age of grace began.
Come, Holy Spirit, aid us to keep the vows we make;
this very day invade us and every bondage break.
Come, give our lives direction, the gift we covet most:
to share the resurrection that leads to Pentecost.
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English version.