Suffering Servant

21 Oct

Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.  (Is 53:11)

We do not like to suffer.

We do not like it one bit.

Because of that, we often have a hard time understanding both the willingness to undergo suffering as well as the actual suffering of Jesus.

Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to suffer.

We’re not talking a hangnail here.  We’re not talking a little bruising.  We’re talking full blown torture and, following torture that in and of itself could kill someone, ultimately death on a cross.  The death reserved for the worst of the criminals.

However, Jesus’ death brought eternal life to all who will believe in Him.

His suffering also brings to us a reminder that we are to do the same.

In today’s Gospel, we hear about a couple of the Apostles jostling for power.  Jesus reminded them that, if they wanted to be greatest, they needed to become servants to all.

Service.  Suffering.  Those go against our human nature.

Maybe that is why they are so important, because Jesus wants us to rise above our human nature and grasp the divine.

FAITH ACTION:  If you are suffering from any kind of chronic condition, offer that suffering up for someone today.  If you are not suffering, in what way can you be a servant to someone today?