Exegetical note: The identity of the Suffering Servant named in this so-called "First Servant Song" (vv. 1-4) is vague, referring either to Israel or to an anticipated individual. That this divinely-chosen servant was to be low-key and "a bruised reed," however, gave even the primitive Church reason to identify Jesus with the Servant; and God's declaration in v. 1 about placing the Spirit upon him and about his bringing "justice to the nations" certainly influenced the Synoptic accounts of Jesus' baptism.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 29)
Leader: