Today’s Scripture Isaiah 53:1-6 (Full Scripture below)
v5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders. These raiders transported him to Ireland where he spent six years as a slave. During his enslavement he became a follower of Christ. After he escaped he returned to Ireland as a missionary to the Irish people.
Some Christians see St. Patrick’s Day as a reprieve from fasting during Lent. Kids can eat their goodies and adults drink green beer. For us, St. Patrick’s Day will be a day to commemorate freedom from slavery.
Today and tonight we will hear Joyce Dixson-Haskett (along with a host of other brilliant presenters), LMSW, ACSW tell her story. Joyce is a human trafficking survivor who served a 17-year prison sentence for saving her own life by killing the person who sold her as property. She earned her bachelors degree while incarcerated and is now an advocate for children of incarcerated parents and author of L.O.R.T.E. (Levels of Response to Traumatic Events) A Vital Aid in Serving Children of Incarcerated Parents.
Today’s scripture speaks of Jesus pain becoming his mission. St. Patrick and Joyce have learned from Jesus. Both Patrick and Joyce allowed their slavery to lead to their life mission. When we heard Joyce speak for the first time we were riveted. We knew we had to bring her to Crossroads. Today is the Day. Don’t miss tonight it will be far better than green beer!
Isaiah 53:1-6
Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by others;
a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity;
and as one from whom others hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him of no account.
4 Surely he has borne our infirmities
and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.