A bent reed he will not break, Isaiah 42:3a

Not much is as worthless as a bent reed, a marsh grass that has bent to the wind and folded under its pressure. It cannot even serve as a resting perch for a passing songbird. It slowly begins its decay and death.

Dear sisters and brothers, we are those bent reeds. Apart from Christ, we have no worth. We cannot stand up against the pressure and pounding of the evil one, his deceptions and his lies. We have no power to withstand temptation. And so when wordly alluring calls out to us, we fall. Apart from Christ, we begin the slow decay which leads to eternal death. On our own, we have as much worth as a bruised reed.

But the opening of Isaiah 42 does not speak of our worthiness. Rather it speaks of the righteous Judge, our Lord Jesus Christ. He does not approach us according to His wrath. He approaches us according to His compassion and mercy. Though we are insignificant and unworthy, He does not simply break us off and walk away. No, He sees us in our helpless state and chooses to act on our behalf.

We see His compassion and mercy as He makes the processional journey up to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Though He knows the journey will end in His death, He goes forward resolutely. He will allow Himself to be the bent and broken reed for us. He will allow Himself to take our worthlessness upon Himself. He will allow Himself to die so that the Father’s justice will be satisfied. He is our compassionate and merciful judge. Hosanna. He saves.

Blessings on your Palm Sunday observance,

Frank Van Brocklin Principal/Staff Minister

Coming up at Immanuel Lutheran School:

❖ April 8 Musical Practice - 9:00 AM

v  April 10 Grades K-8 sing – 10:30 AM

❖ April 11- 18 No School - Easter Break

❖ April 29 Spring Musical - 6:00 PM

❖ April 30 Telling the Next Generation Workshop - 8:50 Start