Isaiah 53:1-6; Matthew 26:47-50

In the sixth century A.D., Saint Columba sailed from Ireland to the Isle of Iona on the West Coast of Scotland. Since that day, Iona has been considered a holy place by many in the Christian Church. Perhaps some of you have visited the island. For one thing, Iona is the burial ground for over sixty Norwegian, Irish, and Scottish kings, including Duncan and Macbeth; as well as for many martyrs from the early Celtic Christians. But the focal point of Iona is the magnificent Abbey Church, the foundation of which is over 1,400 years old. This gem of early Christian architecture has been lovingly rebuilt, stone by stone, largely by the volunteer labor of Christians on retreat. Once the exterior was restored, the interior was refurbished, and a new pulpit, lecter…