Isaiah 42:1-7 ~ I will give you as a covenant for the people

Jesus Heals the Sick, painted by James Tissot


Isaiah 42:1-7

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged [bruised] till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

5 Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.

When we look at the Gospel of John - to see what Jesus would have been doing on Tuesday of Holy Week, we see Jesus becoming emphatic, emotional about declaring Jesus Is God's Word - of Truth and Grace - choosing to live with us.

Jesus cried out. To Tell Us. His words:

John 12:44-48

And Jesus cried out and said:

“Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me! And whoever sees me sees him who sent me!

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Jesus Teaches by the Sea, painted by James Tissot

John 1: 1-5, 9-14, 16-17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.


Beloved in the LORD, this is the nature of God who loves you.

Thank You, Father God, You are grace and truth dwelling among us, in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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