In our Isaiah passage, the prophet makes clear that he is caught up in God’s divine pathos and love for God’s people. He is to “sustain” the people who are wear. Isaiah is awakened every morning with new words speaking of Divine love for and presence with God’s people—whether or not they know it or feel it. Isaiah submits to this pathos—“was not rebellious” and “did not turn backward”.

A sudden shift in the text tells us that Isaiah speaks as one who is found in conflict with those around him who “strike” and “pull” at him. Isaiah finds strength to face this specific conflict with others and his general conflict as a prophet of God with the kingdom of humanity. Where does he find this strength? The very pathos of God that has swept him up in the first place. The prophet’s glory comes from glorifying God and not the kingdom of humanity, so the prophet can press on and continue with his vocation and journey. The prophet does not speak and walk alone; God is with him for God’s Spirit is in him, fueling him, encouraging him, exhorting him forward. This one is beyond being found guilty.

Isaiah is speaking of Israel; this is Israel’s call and it is this path through conflict, anguish, pain and suffering that Israel will be a blessing to the nations and bring glory to God who will be praised among those nations so blessed by Israel. Their call—stemming from the promises given to Abraham—was not to a life of comfort and privilege but to service, service to God that was service to their neighbor. It was not about domination, but solidarity with those around them. It was not about isolation and a pulling away, but a pressing forward and pulling humanity together. It was not for the destruction of the earth, but for the righting of wrongs.

For us Christians, this passage provokes us to think of Christ. Christ is the one who is caught up in the divine pathos and love for God’s people, it is Christ who sustains the people, especially the oppressed and disenfranchised. It is Christ who is awakened every morning with God’s word on his tongue and in his ear, for it is his will that is so conformed to God’s will. It is Christ who submits—willingly—to the God’s desires for the world.

But we must also see ourselves as those who confront Christ, who strike and pull at him, who punish him, who cause him pain and suffering. We are not off the hook here.

It is Christ who will contend with us and the kingdom of humanity and endure beating and whipping, pain and suffering, and even death because he so identified with humanity, shrugging of royalty and taking on vulnerable human flesh. It is Christ who sets his face “like flint” to complete the divine love task of divine liberation bringing new life. Christ will bear the burden of being found guilty when he is not; he will suffer for that imputed guilt. But even in this, God’s glory is hidden in the Christ’s suffering and revealed on Easter morning.