Isaiah 49 and 50 begin several chapters that refer to the suffering servant of the Lord. We who are Christians believe they speak directly of Jesus. As we read these passages we can aspects of Jesus life, death and ultimate victory. Even as Jerusalem cries out to God, the Lord assures it that it has been inscribed on the palms of His hands. We are inscribed in the nail prints on Jesus’ hands. He does not and cannot forget us. He is the one who loves us with an everlasting love whom we have rejected. But that rejection was necessary for our redemption. He is the one who obeys God’s commands eves when it is costly. We are called to listen to His voice.

Hebrews 8 speaks of the fact that the first covenant with God’s people was based upon the law. Its fault was in that it required us to be faithful to it. Since we cannot keep the covenant it is easily broken and always in need of reconciliation and restoration. God has established a new covenant in the life of Jesus. The law is no longer written on stone or paper. It is placed within our hearts. Its fulfillment is not based upon our ability to keep it but on Christ’s ability. Jesus mediates for us and God’s mercy is extended to us through Him.