Lest we forget: Ryan White died on Palm Sunday, 1990
Isa. 50: 4 - 9a
If we begin reading from v.1, we find that, at v.4, the Prophet starts talking about himself; this is his testimopny of faith and trust in God. The preceding ten chapters provide no personal history, but we may surmise that, as with Jeremiah, [2]Isaiah also was scorned and suffered for his words. And like Jeremiah, he did not run away (5) From insult and spittle (6).
- But the Lord GOD will help me-- (7)
My Vindicator is at hand-- (8)Lo, the Lord GOD will help me-- (9)
- Who dares contend with me? (8) [Note: "dares"!]
Who would be my opponent? (8)
Who can get a verdict against me? (9) [Is this self-confidence?]
Who among you reveres the LORD
And heeds the voice of [God's] servant? (10)
- Have mercy on me, O LORD,
for I am in distress;
my eyes are wasted by vexation,
my substance and body too. (10)
- My life is spent in sorrow,
my years in groaning;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
my limbs waste away. (11)
If these words are not applicable to Jesus, then to whom, besides the Psalmist? It should not take much imagination to realize that these are our words, yours and mine. As we wander away from our encounter with the Almighty at Sinai and trudge into and through the wilderness of this earthly life, we find that we have deep need to petition God for mercy.
And we may rest assured that we will receive it if, IF we can pray with sincerity of heart:
- But I trust in You, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God!" (15)
Notice how Paul introduces this glorious, inspiring paean to Jesus: Take to heart among yourselves what you find in Christ Jesus (5). Jesus is our model, our paradigm; and the Apostle pleads, urges, implores us to learn what this means: Follow me.
[A]t the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue acclaim, "Jesus Christ is Lord," to the glory of God the Father. (10..11) But obeisance and acclamation are not enough. Read the next line as if Jesus were speaking: So you too, my friends, must be obedient, as always; even more, now that I am absent, than when I was with you. (12)
What does Jesus-- or Paul, even-- mean by instructing us to be obedient? Does this refer to strict adherence to the Commandments and all the rules and regulations laid down both in Scripture and by the Church?
- The Lord GOD opened my ears,
And I did not disobey,
I did not run away. (Isa. 50: 5)
- But the Lord GOD will help me--
My Vindicator is at hand--
But I trust in You, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God!"
In both these familiar stories, we read about the people's great shouts of acclamation, not far different from that cited by Paul. But acclamation, praise and waving palm branches are not enough. That is why I suggest reading more of John, for there we find the people's motives. They wanted Jesus to give the blind sight, make the lame walk, cleanse the lepers, restore hearing to the deaf, raise the dead to life (Mat. 11: 5) and to be the king like David (Mk. 11:10) who would drive the Romans out of their land.
So what's wrong with that? Well, you can almost hear what they are not shouting: "And leave me out of it!" They wanted somebody-- anybody-- else to do it, to make a change for the better in their lives and society. But what did our Lord say? Follow me. "You do it. God will give you the wisdom and strength; don't worry about that. Trust me."
- "Greater works than these"
Christ promises we will do
if we trust in God.(1)
1. 1 Haiku poem by Phil Gilman. Please feel free to utilize anything from these pages; just give God the Glory, Praise and Thanks and me whatever credit may be due.
(comments to Phil at ENAPXH@aol.com )