Isaiah's Suffering Servant is the model of absolute obedience to God. This Servant is non-violent and compassionate. He does not shrink back from his call just because of abuse and persecution. In fact, he doesn't even try to defend himself. Later on, this would be used in the New Testament as the model for Jesus.

Hebrews insists that Jesus learned obedience through his suffering. It made him into a compassionate high priest, able to empathize with us. He understands because he has experienced human suffering. Our own suffering should make us merciful and compassionate to others.

In the trial of Jesus, no one understands who Jesus is or what he stands for. They judge him by human standards, but he came from above - from God - and he teaches a new set of values and principles.

The crowd, along with Pilate, chose Caesar - earthly power - over the power of God. In a sense, humanity was on trial, not Jesus. To be his disciple, we must be willing to change the way we think and put God's ways in our minds and hearts.

Jesus came to make us like him. Let us ask him to be our teacher and guide.