Jesus would also fulfill the vocation of the suffering servant through fulfilling the Father's will. "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations." (Isaiah 42:1)

As a servant he will fulfill the will of the Father. "I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." (John 5:30) "Here I am, I have come to do your will." (Hebrews 10:9)

What is off-putting to those who do not share our faith is, not so much, the content of Christianity, but the way in which it sometimes has been communicated. So the primary question in our day may be, what is the appropriate manner in which to witness to one's Christian faith to those who do not share it? St. Paul's speech to the Athenians (Acts 17:22-31) gives us some pointers.

This desire for first-hand verification is perfectly normal. It is especially understandable when extraordinary claims such as these are made. To have seen and spoken with someone who was certifiably dead cries out for some kind of proof. That is why it is so difficult for modern man to believe anything unless he has had direct experience of it. The resurrection of Jesus is no easier to believe today than it was two thousand years ago. Some people find it easier to believe than others.

A friend of mine was interviewing for the position of pastor to a church in south Florida. In reviewing his ministry experience he shared with the search committee how each position that he had filled had a particular challenge and mission to accomplish. Each one had been different.