Hope in the Just Messiah

A transcript of Jarrod McKenna's reflection can be downloaded here. 

In today’s teaching video Jarrod McKenna reflects on Isaiah 42:1-4 and the hope we find in Jesus as the just Messiah. 

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

    my chosen one in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,

    and he will bring justice to the nations.

He will not shout or cry out,

    or raise his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed he will not break,

    and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

     he will not falter or be discouraged

till he establishes justice on earth.

    In his teaching the islands will put their hope.

Isaiah 42:1-4

Jarrod McKenna reflects on the context of the Babylonian invasion in which the Prophet Isaiah speaks this vision of hope and justice to the Israelites. It is a surprising vision of hope found in the suffering servant, who rather than pursue violence or revenge,  faithfully brings forth justice with mercy, love and compassion.

The early Christians saw this vision realised in the coming of Jesus the Messiah. This Lent, in the midst of hearing the cries of sorrow and suffering from conflict, displacement and injustice across nations, we cling to this hope we find in our resurrected Christ. We cry out for a ‘Jesus-shaped justice’ to flow and commit ourselves to help make it so, by following in his footsteps.

We invite you to pray and continue reflecting on Jarrod McKenna's reflection today. 

Reflect:

What darkness and pain are you aware of in your community, in creation, or the world? What might Jesus-shaped justice look like here? 

What surprising hope do you find in the image of Jesus as the suffering servant faithfully bringing forth justice to the nations?

How can we, as the body of Christ, live out this hope and ‘Jesus shaped justice’ today?

Pray:

Lord and saviour Jesus.

As our hearts break by a world marred by conflict and injustice, may we find hope in you. A hope that is never realised through retaliation or violence, but triumphs through mercy, love, and compassion.

Pour Your Spirit upon us, that we might embody this 'Jesus-shaped justice' in our daily lives. Strengthen our resolve to follow in the footsteps of Christ, to not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smouldering wick, but to uplift the downtrodden and bring forth justice with patience and faithfulness.

As the early Christians found hope in Jesus, let us too cling to the resurrected Christ, committing ourselves to be peacemakers and bearers of Your divine justice. In the midst of suffering, may our actions reflect Your love and bring hope to those who despair. 

Amen.

Jarrod McKenna is passionate about God’s nonviolent-love becoming our experience of prayer and program for transformation. Jarrod is the co-host of the popular InVerse Podcast, served as the Nonviolent Social Change Advisor for World Vision (Middle East/Eastern Europe) and as a Former National Director of Common Grace. Jarrod pastors with Steeple Church in Melbourne and is a co-founder of the global peace pilgrimages for Gaza.

Connect with Jarrod

https://jarrodmckenna.com
https://jarrodmckenna.com/inverse-podcast/

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Read more about Common Grace's prayers for peace in Gaza and the Global Peace Pilgrimages happening this Lent in a prayerful act of solidarity with the people of Gaza here.