God’s final answer to the chaos of our world is seen on the Cross of Jesus. Isaiah prophesies about a suffering servant, who will offer his pain for us. His rejection is our redemption. (Isaiah 50)

The depth of Jesus’s pain is in the refrain for Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” The servant will be torn apart by evil, his hands and feet will be pierced. And yet he will be vindicated by God, and he acclaims, “in the midst of the assembly I will praise you”.

Jesus’s self-emptying on the Cross fulfills completely the Covenant relationship with God which we could not (Phil. 2). Even in his death, his exaltation becomes possible. His Lordship comes not from dominating but from serving.

When Jesus shares the cup of wine at the Last Supper, he says new words, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” (Mark 14) Blood means life, Jesus’s blood is eternal life, the final fruit of all Covenants, fulfilling all of God’s promises for us.

We can only respond overwhelmed with gratitude and praise, ready to share what we have received in sacrificial love, ready for Easter joy!