"I, the LORD, ... will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open the eyes that are blind." Isaiah 42:6-7

These words are part of the first of four poems in Isaiah called "Songs of the Suffering Servant." They paint a portrait of the servant who is the Savior of all nations. At our Lord's Baptism these words find fulfillment as Jesus begins His ministry of "doing good and healing" (Acts 10:38).

It is to open our blind eyes that Jesus came -- our eyes that grow blind to those around us in need, our eyes that fail to see the guiding hand of God in our life. It is for us, who by nature are dead and blind to God, that He sent His servant, our Savior.

Jesus is the light to the nations, as aged Simeon declared in the temple, and He came to open our blind eyes. In our Baptism we have been called by God's Holy Spirit and enlightened with the Spirit's gifts so that we may see the hand of God in Christ Jesus reaching out to touch, forgive, and heal us. His is the hand that guides and protects. Without His hand on our shoulder, we grope and stumble in darkness, but with it we find the way to everlasting peace.

PRAYER: Lord, take my hand and lead me upon life's way; Direct, protect, and feed me from day to day. Without Your grace and favor I go astray; so take my hand, O Savior, and lead the way. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 24-26    2 Corinthians 11:1-15

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