Already last week, there was a not-so-subtle shift in the tone of the Servant Songs as we recognized the importance of faithfulness when we become discouraged servants.  This week we begin to understand why the first Christians saw Jesus as the fulfillment of the Servant Songs, that these are songs that tell his story and reflect his loving service to us.

This week’s song sings Jesus’ faithfulness as God’s servant.  Jesus is a teacher, sustaining the weary.  However, he knows what to speak because he has first listened himself.  The Latin root of the word obedience is listen.  Jesus’ listening to God and his subsequent doing are one and the same.  He does not turn away from his loving service even when he is persecuted.  His faithfulness and his trust in God’s love are also one and the same.  We are the servants who are served by this listening, faithful Servant Jesus.