“The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.  Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.  The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards.  I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.  The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near.  Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries?  Let them confront me.  It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?  All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.” (Isaiah 50:4-9)   It is fitting that we end our Lenten journey with one of Isaiah’ songs of the suffering servant.  Even though Isaiah almost certainly does not have Jesus of Nazareth in mind when he pens these words, it is quite unlikely that you and I can read them absent thinking of our Lord.  For here, we see the humiliation of Good Friday: the slapping, insulting, and spitting.  Here we see the One through whom all things were made (including those doing the slapping and spitting) silent in the face of his humiliation.  I want to focus upon Jesus’ face this week; that would be the one that has been slapped and spat upon.  I want to pay attention to how in spite of those terrible future insults, Jesus will turn his face toward Jerusalem and all that awaits him there (Luke 9:51).  Ever wonder why?  Ever wonder why he could and would resolutely move toward that final encounter?  Certainly, he was committed to do the will of his Father; but I am convinced that as he moved toward the end, he kept his eyes on you and me.  He set his face toward what it would take that you and I might be brought back to God’s family.  He resolutely pursued that terrible appointment so that you and I might find home again.  Next week as we follow him through Holy Week, my prayer is that you will gain a new vision of that loving face that looks upon you with deep compassion and care.  You know, don’t you, that he really does love you?  Do you need to hear that again?  Do you know anyone who is desperate to know that our Lord looks upon them with that same love?  Have a great Holy Week!