Push Back by Lisa Kopala

It’s the trendy catchphrase used for everything from politics to food choices these days. Collins English Dictionary defines it as “to push back against something, such as change or criticism, you refuse to accept it or try to prevent it.”  To me, it comes across as stubbornness to see another point of view or two kids shoving each other back and forth on the playground, yelling, “Is so, Is not, Is so, Is not.”

Holy Week shows another side of push back. Isaiah 50:4–9 tells of how God gave a blameless servant ears to hear words of encouragement to speak to the weary, and strength and courage not to rebel or run from his accusers, even as they brutally mocked and attacked him. Through it all, the servant did not suffer passively but rather stood strong and confident, knowing his Protector was by his side, and he would be vindicated in the end.

Jesus pushed back. He pushed back against the Pharisees, who challenged his teachings. Jesus pushed back against the moneychangers, who tried to defile God’s house. He pushed back against injustice to those whom no one defended. Just as the servant in Isaiah served as a role model to those who had suffered and been shamed, Christ has pushed back the darkness of sin into the light through his death, burial, and resurrection.