God’s Word of Grace

Isaiah 55:1-13

Israel told in previous chapter about the need for a big tent but we’re not fully told why. Were informed of need for wider curtains, longer ropes, stronger pegs to make room for all the children. This would be time when it’s a good thing for children of all ages to go back home. Now the prophet makes it more clear: biggest reason for needing more room is vast number of Gentile additions to the church.

Not a new concept; idea of a covenant community, family belonging to God that included more than just Israel had been around for centuries. First promise of redemption was made when only two people – Adam and Eve. Years before Jacob received name Israel after his wrestling match, promise of blessing to all familes of the earth was made to his grandfather Abram (Gen. 12:3). Same promise made to Jacob’s father Isaac (Gen. 26:4), then to Jacob himself (Gen. 28:14). Not just Abram’s family, or Isaac’s or Jacob’s that would be blessed; all families would have representatives participating in covenant blessings.

A. call to the needy v.1-5

who is called: thirsty and destitute (1a, 2a) Target audience broadens with invitation to “everyone”; Gospel not just for Jewish people, for everyone, the whole world, all mankind. “All” may hear invitation, all should be “compelled” to come; remember Jesus’ parable about the man who prepared a great feast, invited many but still there was room; told servants to “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luk. 14:23)

Who will respond to invitation? Those who are thirsty and bankrupt; those who recognize they are unable to purchase what will satisfy, who acknowledge what they are able to purchase will not satisfy. Think about it: apart from God and blessings offered through Lord Jesus, have you found anything that truly and abundantly satisfies?

what is promised:

nourishing abundance (1b, 2b) things necessary to life. More than simple bread and water; wine, milk, abundance that provides delightful nourishment far beyond the minimum. Of course, word picture here refers primarily to spiritual not physical benefits although both may be included.

everlasting life (3) God graciously restores life that was lost in the Garden; mankind was made for living, not dying, that’s one reason we fight so hard against death. Thanks to sin, living is the process of dying (“in the day you eat, dying you will die” Gen. 2:17). Gospel guarantees that while we may experience bodily death, we will never experience spiritual death. And,… bodily life will be restored after resurrection. Meanwhile, since our old life was crucified with Christ, we can live a new life “by faith in the Son of God” (Gal. 2:20), one marked by increasing holiness each day.

God himself (4-5) graciously restores fellowship lost in the Fall, giving himself to fallen people in person of Christ, the Servant; v.3 “come to Me”, (John 14:6) v.5 the Servant will call the nations to himself (Matt. 11:28-30). He is the one who said “whoever drinks of the water I give will never be thirsty forever” (John 4:14), “I am the bread of life, the living bread which came from heaven” (John 6:48, 51)

B. call to repent v.6-7

limited opportunity (6) gracious invitation (God is not compelled to invite anyone) but won’t last forever. God doesn’t always stick around geographically; areas of world once experiencing revival fires now cold and hard. God does not always allow himself to be readily found; can’t presume that because he’s there and accessible today that he will be tomorrow. 3x author of Hebrews says “Today, if you will hear his voice”.

expectations (7):

forsake – ways and thoughts; first step in change is to put off the old, abandon former sinful ways of thinking and acting. Can’t just clean up behavior; thoughts/beliefs not only govern behavior, are important to God. Motive is just as important as action, condition of heart as important as visible conduct.

return – to the Lord; those who hear call, are convinced of wrongness of thought and behavior, see need for change, must turn TO not just something different, not just any solution, the right solution

receive – mercy and pardon, the grace of the Gospel, something the law cannot achieve

Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlour, that was full of dust, because never swept; the which, after he had reviewed it a little while, the Interpreter called for a man to sweep. Now, when he began to sweep, the dust began so abundantly to fly about, that Christian had almost therewith been choked.

Then said the Interpreter to a damsel that stood by, Bring hither water, and sprinkle the room; the which when she had done, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure.

Chr. Then said Christian, What means this?

Inter. The Interpreter answered, This parlour is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the gospel: the dust is his original sin, and inward corruptions that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first is the law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the gospel. Now, whereas thou sawest that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about, that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith ; this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase it in the soul, even as it doth discover and forbid it ; for it doth not give power to subdue. Again; as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure; this is to show thee, that when the gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean, through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory to inhabit.

This Gospel is good news for Christians, too. All who repent of their sin against God, turn from those habits and behaviors and ways of thinking that displease him will find mercy and pardon. This call primarily for those who have not ever been reconciled to God; it’s just as necessary for believers to repent and be restored to fellowship as it is for unbelievers to repent and be reconciled.

C. character of the word v.8-13

reveals God’s thoughts and ways (8) absolutely essential for us to know God; God is knowable but only to extent that he reveals. The created order tells us that there must be an all-powerful God who could bring it into being. It even tells us some about his character; but,… without written revelation have no knowledge of God’s love for us in Christ; no understanding that God uses both good and evil actions and circumstances for good; no concept of the blessedness of eternal life in God’s presence.

reminds of dependence (9) – without revelation we cannot figure Gospel out

It is told of Kepler [German astronomer who first stated laws of planetary motion] that, one night, after hours spent in observing the motions of the heavenly bodies, he exclaimed, “I have been thinking over again the earliest thoughts of God.” But there are earlier thoughts than those impresssd on nature. The love that led to the choice of man in Christ, and will culminate in glory, is older far. (F. B. Meyer)

achieves results (10-11) grows his family; rain and snow sent by God for particular good purpose, accomplish that purpose according to his will. So does his Word, Law and Gospel together showing man his desperate need and God’s gracious solution. Don’t customarily receive a growing season’s worth of rain in one downpour; usually comes as mists and periodic showers. So, too, God’s Word achieves its results one application at a time. Just as seedtime and harvest promised for natural world, God promises same here when planting seed of the Word. That means evangelism/missions will achieve results.

rolls back the curse (12-13) when hearers respond to Gospel truth, God begins rolling back effects of the fall and subsequent curse. Life of sin leads to despair, conflict, hardship, frustration; experiencing power of the Gospel and new life in Christ leads to joy, peace, blessing, contentment. Greatest truth of all: not a temporary fleeting change but an everlasting one, one that stretches from this life to next.

Crucial to remember that this (everything in 54 & 55) is consequence/result of the Servant’s accomplished work (53). God didn’t just wiggle his nose, snap fingers, wave a magic wand and make everyone’s wishes come true. Required far greater demonstration of power and love and grace than that. God’s grace described in his written word, bestowed on us by his living Word, the Lord Jesus, is greater than all our sin. Only by his wonderful grace through faith can we be pardoned, be reconciled to God and receive eternal life.

No manger, no cross; no cross, no pardon; no empty tomb, no resurrection to eternal life; no throne, no king; no king, no kingdom. If any one is more essential than another, would be the cross; without the cross, we would still be in our sins and the rest is a curse rather than blessing. Isaiah’s call to those who are thirsty still echoes today; the Cross has the same power over sin today as it did 2000 years ago. “This, the pow’r of the cross: / Christ became sin for us; / Took the blame, bore the wrath—We stand forgiven at the cross.” (Getty, Townend)

God’s Gift to God

Isaiah 54:1-17

Christmas and gifts go together: giving gifts; receiving gifts; planned gifts; surprise gifts; expensive gifts; sentimental gifts; gifts that take our breath away. For many, great gift from God to mankind in form of baby in manger is front and center, leaving us breathless and wondering. But we don’t usually think of gift God gave God – a gift purchased at immense and profound cost; one that keeps on giving; a gift that is forever but that grows more spectacular every day.

also Isa. 53:10 once restitution is made, he will see descendants and enjoy long life,

Eph. 5:25-27 Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious

John 17:6, 9-10, 12 the men whom you have given me; they were yours, you gave them to me; those whom you have given me for they are yours; I kept them …which you have given me. 4x “given”

Looking at the Servant without eyes of faith, had all appearance of colossal failure: came to deliver his people but couldn’t deliver even himself. Was cut off from land of living (53:8), buried in rich man’s tomb (53:9), far from picture of conquering hero many expected. Yet in surprising twist, Isaiah declares the Servant will be victorious in death, then richly rewarded for his success in battle (53:12). This makes it plain that what the Servant endured was not for his own benefit; all his suffering was for sake of others, his Church. The spoils of victory secured by the Servant in ch. 53 are described in ch. 54 & 55 – a God-ordained family that is large, loved and possesses a lavish heritage.

A. large v.1-5

adopted children (1) God had chosen Israel, least among the nations (Deu. 7:7), for his people. It’s apparent from promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that they wouldn’t stay small. While Hebrew children did grow remarkably following time of Joseph, in God’s view Israel was a barren childless mother. She was unable to produce children spiritually acceptable to God. Yet God tells her to rejoice because of her many children, supernaturally provided to her by a loving Heavenly Father, redeemed by the Son of God, raised to new life by the Spirit of God.

outgrowing the tent (2) Imagine being unable to have children, putting huge addition on your house for your children. Look kinda foolish, wouldn’t it! Not if God had promised to bring the children. Exactly what he did for Israel – told them to plan on growth, count on not having enough room, make tent bigger. Spare no expense or effort, make it HUGE; family God has in mind for God won’t fit into former home/dwelling place.

permeate the nations (3) In fact, Israel can’t make the tent big enough; her adopted children will spill out on all sides. They will spread out beyond boundaries of homeland, have an enduring presence in all nations of the world. In fact, propagation of this family throughout the world results in conquering of nations. Family with Jewish roots will become the Church, growing in strength and numbers as new children from all nations are added by spread of the Gospel.

grow in confidence (4-5) God encouraged his people to have confidence in the future, look forward to future glory, not backward at a shameful past. It was God who delivered from their past, God who would shape their future. Not a self-help strategy, I can do anything if I just put my mind to it, here; supreme and Sovereign God of the universe puts up his creative genius and sustaining might as a guarantee of a future for his family.

B. loved and loving v.6-10

restored fellowship (6) Did God abandon his “wife”, Israel? Is it possible for a faithful God to do that? Yes, indeed it is, but only under specific circumstances: when it suits God’s good purpose to do so. Israel had faithlessly abandoned God to sell herself to false gods, idols; so God let her go, that she might learn the futility of her choices, experience the greatness of God’s power in restoring her. Important to remember her reconciliation was made possible by what the Servant endured/experienced in her place, on her behalf. Wasn’t an arbitrary decision on God’s part, instead had as its foundation satisfaction of his justice paid by the perfect Substitute.

gathered with great compassion (7) God has every reason, just cause to be angry with his people; they repeatedly and wilfully sinned against him. Instead, God graciously and tenderly draws his children to himself, pardoning their sin and restoring them to intimate fellowship. Since it is true pardon, there will never again be mention of their grievous sin, their shameful past. It might appear that God had forsaken his people but never did he forsake his redemptive purpose. God’s plan to bring about salvation of his children never has nor will it ever miss a beat.

seasoned with everlasting love (8) God loves his family with an everlasting steadfast love that seasons all he does for them. His abandoning for a short time / brief moment was a demonstration of his love – if he didn’t love, he wouldn’t care, wouldn’t make effort to restore. God reconciling his children also shows his love – 1 John 4:10 God loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. Because God loves his family, brothers and sisters love him and one another; no dysfunctional stuff in God’s family.

guaranteed by enduring covenant (9-10) Just to make sure family got the point, that God’s promise of favor was forever, he binds himself by an oath: just as promised Noah never another flood, so promise his children never another Babylon. God then gives another indication of the greatness of what his Servant accomplished: the peace the Servant secured by his victory is forever. God is not fickle lover, hot one day, cold the next; when he sets his love on his family, it’s forever. It lasts as long as the Servant’s victory over the sin that alienated God’s people from him. If that victory is forever, so is God’s love for them.

C. lavish heritage v.11-17

stability (11) Israel had certainly been tossed about, harassed, otherwise kept on edge by her enemies; who, btw, were sent by God on purpose to encourage trust in him. Now that they have been reconciled, that kind of upheaval is over. They are promised structure, a firm foundation, one established on God’s promises that won’t move. As members of God’s family, in fellowship with him and each other, will experience stability that cannot be found by doing things the world’s way. The city, not named, is true Jerusalem (Gal. 4:24-27), the Jerusalem above, the mother of those in the church.

rich goodness (12) God doesn’t use just what’s available or convenient to build up the city, he selects materials designed to show off his glory and the beauty of his holy City. Is a rich display of his love and goodness toward his children; it’s a richness and beauty given to his people by God, not something they acquired on their own. In fact, it’s his beauty they wear, having been drawn into the holy city by his tender love.

great peace (13) There will be no illegal aliens in this ciy, no squatters, none who do not belong there, none who would do her rightful residents harm. All who live in the city, all of the children will be children of God, taught by their Heavenly Father. Because they know their Father, and faithfully follow their Father, they will have the sort of enduring peace that comes only from their Father.

absolute safety (14-17a) God’s family can count on absolute safety – none of those outside the city who would try to harm will be allowed. Be assured many will try to raise assault against God and his people but they will fail miserably. That has held true over centuries, all who have sought overthrow of Christ’s church have either been captured by God’s grace and brought inside the walls or overcome by consuming fire of his holy justice.

perfect righteousness (17b) Now another surprise for God’s family: their heritage comes from God AND so does their righteousness. God doesn’t give broken or defective gifts, especially to God. God’s gift to God of a family includes their perfection, their possessing perfect righteousness. Perfect redemption, purchased at the price of the Servant’s life is absolutely comprehensive – includes all that sin-corrupted children need to be fit for adoption into the King’s family.

Our gift-giving can’t hold a candle to God’s gift-giving, can it! No way we can ever come close to matching what God has done and still continues to do. God, presenting another trophy of his grace to God every time a sinner is brought to repentance. Yet there’s a part for us in God’s gift-giving. 2 parts, actually. First, thank and praise him for the great things he has done in our redemption, the great rejoicing he has given to us in Jesus.

Second, God uses means to draw new children of all ages into his family. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17) Many still need to hear the Gospel; will usually be most receptive to hearing it in context of a relationship, from someone who has credibility. May God enable us to live lives of faithful obedience that we might be effective ambassadors, adequately equipped and diligently working to bring others into the family.

The Pri(n)ce of Peace

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

There’s something about heroes. We all have mental image of what hero looks like, what they achieve. Tend to get excited just thinking about one. Dashing knight in shining armor on white horse rescues fair maiden. Firefighter carries toddler to safety from burning home. Pilot lands airliner on Hudson River with no loss of life. Heartwarming stories, true or imagined, generate positive response, restore faith in mankind. Even Bible heroes are big deal – David & Goliath, Moses, Joshua, Daniel. One way or other, these all fit our image of hero. These guys mostly just appeared on scene and did their thing without big announcements, little if any previous fanfare. Sometimes just doing their job but in highly exemplary way.

God orchestrated appearance of his hero differently. Simple one-liner at the beginning about the seed of the woman; Abraham’s Seed will bless all nations; he’s in the line of Judah; a prophet like Moses. And on it went: sentence here, paragraph there, over more than 3000 years God wrote out the announcement of his hero. Revealing to fallen humanity what God planned before Creation – a plan to restore what was lost and broken in Fall, plan that needed hero like no other, that humanity could not provide for itself.

Identified by prophet as “Prince of Peace”, would bring peace to war-torn world; would be peace to those he came to save; was his plan to buy peace that his people might have peace. This Prince of Peace would pay the Price of Peace, a price only he could pay because required his very life. Path to success a long, painful and lonely one – rejected by his people, abandoned by his closest followers, forsaken by his Father at crucial point. The Father guaranteed his eventual exaltation but only after the Prince, God’s Servant, had experienced profound humiliation.

A. exaltation 52:13-53:1

Servant’s exaltation would be unparalleled in human history (13), would come as result of having succeeded in his mission. Would come to do his Father’s will, reveal his Father to the world, teach his followers to obey the Father, drink the cup of his Father’s wrath for sin, receive his Father’s approval and validation of a task well-done.

Would be exalted to rank and position that has no equal or better. According to NT he is seated by Father in position of honor “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph. 1:21) His apparent change in station will come as total surprise to many – he won’t fit stereotype of hero, Promised One, deliverer of captives.

Won’t appear to even be a success, much less a hero (14). At low point of his experience, Servant won’t even look human (we’re not yet told why). Onlookers will be horrified by sight of him, not understanding how this one can possibly be he whom God promised to send. What is most surprising is this: when Servant looks most like a failure is when he accomplishes his greatest work (15a); it is in his disfiguring that he carries out his priestly work of sacrifice and sprinkling. Not just a few people, but nations that will be cleansed and purified by Servant’s sprinkling.

Servant’s amazing exaltation following such unimaginable humiliation leaves world rulers speechless in awe and reverence (15b). Time will come when even mightiest authorities in world will see and understand who Servant truly is and what he has achieved. From greatest to least, it will be plain to see that the Servant is only source of hope for people in desperate need. May be plain to see, but still unbelievable that God would exercise his awesome power through his Servant in that way (1).

No one other than God would come up with such a plan for man’s redemption – that God would, so to speak, leave the highest heaven, come down to man that he might return to heaven and bring his people with him. Only God would do for man at mind-blowing cost to himself what man could never do, that sinful men and women and boys and girls might along with the exalted Servant inherit God’s estate. What is parents’ or grandparents’ estate compared to God’s? Zip. Nada. Nothing. Don’t even think about it; go for the gold, pursue the inheritance in heaven waiting for all of God’s adopted children.

B. humiliation 53:2-10a

Who would even give this child a second thought? From humble beginnings in a poor family, born to a woman not married to his father, exiled to a foreign country shortly after birth, taught a trade by a common working class step-father, relatively unknown until age thirty, nothing gave hint of his future stature (2a). Viewed as the son of a carpenter and not a gifted scholar or orator, nothing in his outward appearance would attract attention. In fact, his appearance was so commonplace that a traitor’s kiss was necessary to positively identify him in a dimly lit olive garden (2b).

Tried in court of public opinion, the Servant suffered greatest indignities of all: One who should have been loved and worshiped instead treated with contempt, told to go away. One who knew he was only possible help was not welcomed but flat-out rejected (3). Watching world saw what they thought was greatness of his sin and punishment for it, never recognizing the depth of their own iniquity (4). Didn’t think for a moment his punishment might be in place of another.

Every lamb sacrificed for thousands of years was an object lesson, one worshipers willingly and gladly accepted; they even expected God would accept the life of an innocent lamb in place of their own. Isaiah with prophetic insight like John the Baptist later recognized the One who would be an all-sufficient substitute, the sinless one who bore sins of others that they might be set free (5).

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted, / See him dying on the tree! / ‘Tis the Christ by man rejected; / Yes, my soul, ’tis he, ’tis he. / ‘Tis the long-expected Prophet, / David’s Son, yet David’s Lord; / By his Son God now has spoken: / ‘Tis the true and faithful Word.

Tell me, ye who hear him groaning, / Was there ever grief like his? / Friends through fear his cause disowning, / Foes insulting his distress; / Many hands were raised to wound him, / None would interpose to save; / But the deepest stroke that pierced him / Was the stroke that Justice gave.

Ye who think of sin but lightly / Nor suppose the evil great / Here may view its nature rightly, / Here its guilt may estimate. / Mark the Sacrifice appointed, / See who bears the awful load; / ‘Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed, / Son of Man and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation, / Here the refuge of the lost; / Christ’s the Rock of our salvation, / His the name of which we boast. / Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, / Sacrifice to cancel guilt! / None shall ever be confounded / Who on him their hope have built. Thomas Kelly, 1804, Irish pastor

C. consolation 53:10b-12

This one “cut off from the land of the living; [who] for the transgressions of [his] people was stricken” (8) will “see descendants and enjoy long life” (10, NET). How can that be? This One who in view of world was a loser, how can he rightly be declared a winner and exalted to place of highest honor? How could he be satisfied with his labor? What consolation could there be for seeming failure?

What the Servant achieved goes far beyond what eyes can see: he bore sins of many, endured God’s punishment on their behalf; now declares them righteous and intercedes for them before his Father (11-12). The Servant gave his life that his people might live, purchased our peace with God by paying ultimate price for us. Death, though, could not hold him in its power; he had victory over that also and now lives to continue doing his Father’s will.

Over and over, each and every day, another life is changed when one who has been spiritually dead is raised to new life, declared righteous before God and set on the path to holiness. The Lord Jesus himself declared there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents; imagine joy over millions who have come to repentance already. The Lord Jesus is rejoicing also because each converted sinner is another brother or sister added to his family.

Christians devote a lot of energy to celebrating certain big events during the year – Christmas and Easter, the manger and the empty tomb. Two additional symbols must accompany those, at least in our thinking: the cross and the throne. Each of the four – manger, cross, tomb and throne – are essential to God’s redemptive plan.

It was 11 days before Christmas, December 14, 1862. After the first fierce day of the battle of Fredericksburg, in Virginia, hundreds of Union soldiers lay wounded and bleeding. All through the night and most of the next day, artillery fire prevented their relief. Yet all that time their agonized cries went up, “Water! Water!” At last, however, a noble Southern soldier, a 19-year old sergeant, Richard Kirkland, rose above his love of life, and hastening to General Kershaw said, “General, I can’t stand this any longer! Those poor souls out there have been praying and crying all night and all day, and it’s more than I can bear! I ask your permission to go and give them water.”

“But do you know,” said the general, “that as soon as you show yourself to the enemy you will be shot?” “Yes, sir,” answered Kirkland, “I know that, but if you let me, I’m willing to try it.” The General responded, “The sentiment which prompts you is so noble that I will not refuse your request. God protect you. You may go.”

Quickly the South Carolinian hurdled the wall and immediately exposed himself to the fire of every Yankee sharpshooter in that sector. Kirkland walked calmly toward the Union lines until he reached the nearest wounded soldier. Kneeling, he took off his canteen and gently lifted the enemy soldier’s head to give him a long, deep drink of refreshing cold water. Then he placed a knapsack under the head of his enemy and moved on to the next. Racing against the lengthening shadows of a short, somber December afternoon, he returned again and again to the lines where comrades handed him full canteens. “Troops on both sides who had watched this unselfish act paid young Kirkland the supreme tribute — not a standing ovation, but respectful awed silence.”

2000 years ago, the eternal Son of God stepped over the ramparts of heaven, came to a world filled with his enemies to bring them the water of eternal life. He took on human form, was born as babe in manger; grew to be the perfect Lamb of God, putting his Father’s will, his Father’s glory and our good before his own welfare. Because of that we can find cleansing for our filthy souls in the blood of Calvary; we can be declared just and righteous by virtue of our faith in Christ; “we can have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”, the Prince of Peace who has purchased our redemption. (Rom. 5:1)

Evidence of the Word

James 1:26-27

Perhaps possible from what James has said so far, the application made of his teaching to arrive at incorrect understanding of what he means. Especially with regard to God’s law as rule of life, the tertius usus legis.

usus pedagogicus (teaching) – convicts of sin, discloses guilt

usus civilis – restrains evil, threatens consequences

usus normativus – rule of life

For although the Law is written and engraven on their hearts by the finger of God, that is, although they are so influenced and actuated by the Spirit, that they desire to obey God, there are two ways in which they still profit in the Law. For it is the best instrument for enabling them daily to learn with greater truth and certainty what that will of the Lord is which they aspire to follow, and to confirm them in this knowledge. Calvin, Inst., II.7.xii

Just in case anyone thinks God’s law as externally applied rule will produce religion satisfactory to God, think again. Even someone who “does” the Word (for the most part) but without right heart is only deceiving himself and perhaps others. James addressing the same problematic approach to piety as Isaiah in chapter 58 – living life in disconnected boxes. Matters of faith in one box, rest of life in another box; no connection between so that faith informs and directs practice.

True religion / piety / religious expression includes but is not limited to proper observance of one day in seven and the things commonly associated with corporate worship. Certain other things must be in evidence for individual to have solid ground on which to consider himself a “true Christian”. James gives three simple examples of evidence that God’s Word has truly taken root in person’s heart and is operative in their life. If God’s law is written on our heart, here’s how that will play out in daily life all 7 days.

Quick note in passing: neither law nor religion are “dirty words”, words offensive to God. Sin defined by John as “lawlessness” (1 John 3:4); James tells us there is such a thing as pure reilgion.

A. absence of true religion v.26

begins with negative: if anyone has this self-image and this trait is NOT present, only kidding himself but not fooling others. If person claims to be Christian and views himself that way but has runaway tongue is deluded. James not referring to occasional idle word, rare unguarded expression; has in view the habitual ways and topics of communication – things person typically talks about, ways they talk about them.

Are things in routine conversation absent from Phil. 4:8 list of whatevers? Is speech seasoned with “backbiting, gossip, innuendo, lashing out, sarcasm, sneering, foul mouthing, slander, bitter denunciations, misrepresentation, half truths, defamation, [even] blatant lies” (Krabbendam)? James says that person’s religion is useless, futile, a waste of time and self-deceptive.

Sure sounds like James putting whole lot of stock in just one aspect of person’s life, reaching big conclusion from one piece of puzzle. If so, must also accuse Jesus of having wrong view of how human nature works. On three separate occasions, declared the principle that what is seen/heard on outside is accurate indicator of what’s on inside. Matt. 7:18; Matt. 12:34; Luke 6:45; Matt. 15:18 Gave practical example that good tree can’t bear rotten fruit, rotten tree can’t bear good fruit. Why is that? Because “the mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart”.

What is heard from lips indicates character of the heart; converse of that is: what is written on the heart will find expression through lips. If God’s Word has been planted in the heart, has taken root and is producing fruit, that will be evident in nature of person’s speech. Absent from speech means absent from heart which means person has not been regenerated or else is in serious sin and need of immediate and profound repentance. Last thing they need to hear is “it’s OK, God understands, carnal Christians go to heaven, too”. Should be challenged on basis of what God’s Word plainly teaches to examine themselves, repent of sinful behavior, by God’s grace and strength live as befits a child of God.

B. presence of true religion v.27

If that constitutes false / deceptive religion, what demonstrates authentic religion, the sum total of how heart relationship with God is expressed 24/7. James makes it obvious immediately that religion pleasing to God is comprehensive – extends to all areas of life, what we do, because it is rooted in our hearts, who we are. False religion accompanies a deceived heart; true religion a true and sincere heart, before both God and men. In God’s estimation, two things will be present as evidence of religion that pleases him:

unstinted giving

Orphans and widows have always been on God’s radar: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psa. 68:5) Numerous examples (Ex. 22:22ff; Deut. 10:16-17; 14:29; 22:19; 24:17-22; Ps. 68:5; 146:7ff; Is. 1:17; Ezek. 22:7; Zech. 7:10; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:3-16) of how God expects them to be treated. To care for orphans and widows is to follow in God’s footsteps, means he uses for their good. True, they’re included in v.2; they are to consider trials and suffering joy. But,… doesn’t relieve others of duty toward those in need.

So who are orphans and widows? Important to note Bible doesn’t specify how they came to be in those categories, whether they are “actual” or “technical” orphans / widows. Is absence of father/parents due to death, imprisonment, abandonment, state intervention? Is absence of husband due to death, imprisonment, abandonment, divorce? In today’s culture especially, are circumstances the result of military deployment? And, is it temporary or permanent situation? Biblical requirements don’t distinguish all the subcategories; we shouldn’t either when comes to caring for those “on the margins” who have largely moved into the mainstream of our culture.

Here it’s ones who have taking initiative to seek out and care for those who havenot, those suffering affliction. Begins first with members of immediate family – brothers and sisters, physical and spiritual – then working outward as God provides resources. Purpose is to work to relieve their suffering, be father to orphans and husband to widows, providing for their needs, whether spiritual or physical. Must happen as expression of the heart: heart devoted to and filled with love for God propels individual into service to God’s children. What breaks God’s heart, causes him to show compassion, should break our hearts and stimulate demonstration of our compassion.

unstained living

We live in fallen world, surrounded by fallen people; must interact with them on daily basis. Nowhere does Bible endorse monastery life, in fact, the exact opposite. Jesus expects us to change world by presence in and interaction with it. But,… there’s supposed to be check-valve in plumbing between us and world; problem is in modern church the valves goes in wrong direction. Church has been stained by world, its thinking and its ways, rather than other way round.

To be unspotted/unstained means every aspect of life and being should be conformed to Christ not world’s ways. Think as Christ thinks (let this mind be in you, Phil. 2:5); act as Christ acted (Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. 1 Pet. 2:21); desire what God desires, in all areas of life. Must be apparent to all who observe that we “march to the beat of a different drummer”, God.

Goal is not to become like the world so we can win the world; it is to be unlike the world so we can reach into the world and by God’s grace rescue lost sinners out of it. Given current trends, each day brings added opportunities to encounter those in need; must be alert to dangers of applying world’s solutions to their need, instead staying true to God’s methods and priorities.

Alertness is good but not enough, need Scotchgard to be stain resistant; best form of treatment goes along with manufacture of fabric, not simply sprayed on later. God’s original formula for stain protection is implanted and nurtured Word of God, rooted in the heart (The term “heart” stands for the “inner,” “inward,” “internal” man, the core of one’s being, one’s deepest self, one’s personhood, as the source that produces the outward, verifiable, practice. Krabbendam) and permeating the entire person. It goes without saying that Holy Spirit is one who implants Word, applies it, enlightens us to understand it, makes it effectual in our lives.

Individual pure religion is important, James addressed his letter to brothers and sisters. Corporate exercise and maintenance of pure religion also important. World is a big place with big needs; not possible for one individual short of Lord Jesus to “visit” all widows and orphans. Requires combined labors of worshiping community, modeling among brothers and sisters the love and principles and priorities received from their Father. May our gracious Heavenly Father continue to mold us into that sort of family, one that practices a “pure and undefiled religion before God the Father” that pleases him

Listen! Awake! Depart!

Isaiah 51:1-52:12

According to people who keep track of such things, world population reached 7 billion mark few weeks back. Of course, some moan / groan how we’re abusing the planet, overloading its resources; need to control population, reduce carbon footprint, all that jazz, so we leave something for future generations. I believe people of God should view that number differently: according to God’s Word, all but one of 7 billion came into world needing to hear Gospel. Many have heard and responded in faith. Still one immense mission field left; can point in absolutely any direction, someone within walking or driving distance needs to hear “glad tidings of good things”.

God speaks through text: listen up, wake up, get up. Hear the glad tidings, wake up to action, move in direction God shows to spread light in dark world. We enjoy light of sun, electric lights; it’s light of Gospel that gives life to people dead in sin.

A. Listen to Me 51:1-8

listen (1a) Targeted message, directed to remnant, faithful who were committed to doing right, seeking God for purpose of worshiping, hearing, obeying. Challenged to hear with intent to follow through.

look (1b-3) Consider who you are: just as rock comes from quarry, so you have come from father Abraham, mother Sarah. Remember promises made to Abraham, through him to subsequent generations. Same power that fulfilled promise of Isaac will carry out all other promises; God will bring joy / gladness / thanksgiving / voice of song to people who had known great desolation. There was indeed great joy and gladness when foundation of temple was laid again (Ezra 3:10-12); that singing and shouting just small prelude to praising in the church and heaven when God saves another sinner by his amazing grace.

listen (4-5) Exhortation to listen attentively to message, directed to God’s people, the nation or kingdom of his establishing. God’s law and his revelation show the nations the sinfulness of their sin; shines light on their condition and their need. Thank God for verse 5: God’s righteousness and salvation are near, there is hope for nations.

look up (6) Things always on the move in the heavens: stars, planets, clouds; same is true of our planet, in constant state of change. Flowers bloom & die, rivers and oceans in constant motion, trees grow and are cut down for lumber or firewood. OTOH, God and his salvation a different story: God’s deliverance is forever. Not delivered from sin until next screw-up; deliverance from condemnation is once for all. Not license to sin more, liberty to praise more!!

listen (7-8) God’s people further described: who have his law in their hearts, have eagerly embraced God’s law as their rule of life. Exhorted not to fear what men may say or do, rather rest in God’s forever righteousness, his enduring salvation. Remember the great blessing of God’s gift to the world: baby, God in flesh, Lamb of God, sent to purchase eternal life for his people at cost of his own life.

B. Wake up 51:9-52:10

wake up (9-16) arm of the Lord

Those who go out in own strength doomed to failure; arm of Lord must be active on our behalf first. Prophet calls on Lord, seemingly inactive, to rouse to action on behalf of his people; sets good example for us. Calls on same power and strength that delivered people from Egypt to act again – this time to provide eternal deliverance. Required arm of Lord to bring people out of captivity under Pharaoh; requires far greater strength and power to deliver from captivity under sin.

God exercising power to ransom his people is both source of joy and cause for joy. Not momentary rejoicing, is enduring and everlasting joy that overwhelms recipients and banishes grief and suffering. Have foretaste of that joy in this life, will experience in fullness in the next when “no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)

Exhorted again not to be afraid of circumstances, what man may say or do; to be fearful requires taking focus off God, failing to properly trust in him and his providence. In particular, must trust in the Servant (16) equipped by God for his divine task of redeeming a people to populate new heavens and earth.

wake up (17-23) Jerusalem

God now calls on Jerusalem to wake up to truth of their situation: their predicament not result of poor planning or weak defenses or faulty strategy. Was God’s punishment as consequence for their sin. Had experienced great devastation: confusion, no leadership and none coming up through ranks; double disasters of hardship and death, the physical suffering, along with full cup of God’s righteous fury. Situation is so hopeless it appears not even God can provide comfort.

And then he does, providing words of eternal hope and comfort: tells his people, “I have removed the cup from your hand; You will never drink it again.” Cup not removed from everyone; their tormentors would drink cup in its entirety, but not as substitute for Jerusalem. There was another who would be that substitute: said to Peter in Garden, “shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11) Lord Jesus drank that poison cup dry so his people would never be required to, providing hope for a hopeless people, true joy to those who had known only sorrow.

wake up (52:1-10) Zion, the holy city

Holy One of Israel expects his people, his city to be holy; no one with any impurity will be allowed entrance into Zion. Pure condition not something people could acquire on their own; have no money (resources) to get it with. Without outside help, are in hopeless helpless situation; yet God declares they will be redeemed without exchange of money. Their redemption will be a free gift.

Those who need a debt forgiven can’t pay for their forgiveness;that’s kinda the point, isn’t it! If it’s true forgiveness, it must come at no cost to the one forgiven. Need forgiveness? Don’t wait to seek it from the Lord who offers redemption and forgiveness freely to those who come to him. Offer is made explicit in chapter 55, it’s hinted at here and basis for it is Servant’s work on behalf of his people.

It is God who will bring about change for his people; will give ability to know him intimately, recognize his voice. Instead of continuing to punish for their sins he will show mercy. God draws attention to fact he is about to do something big, something that warrants sending a messenger with good news. Good news, news of peace, news of good things, announcement of salvation, declaring that God has won the battle and is ruling victoriously.

Good news met with great rejoicing and celebration, singing and shouting that hopeless have received hope; comfortless have been comforted; slaves have been redeemed. Picture is one of prisoners whose chains have fallen off, doors and gates are wide open, they are still standing in cells rejoicing.

C. Leave! Get out of there

leave (11a) God reminds them “You’re free to leave!” You’re not prisoners of war in Babylon any more, you’re free to go home. Like one set free from sin – free to go home, to Father’s house and enjoy his presence and provision.

don’t touch (11b) Reminder!! You’ve been released from dominion of sin, don’t take it with you. For Jews, don’t take idolatry and all it’s baggage with you. For us, don’t try to take sinful lifestyle and its trappings with us in pursuit of holiness. God’s people called to life of purity, not seeing how close to world’s mud-puddle we can hang out and not get splashed. How close to God’s well of living water can we hang out and get refreshed

go with God (12)

outside comfort zone; people inside already know truth, it’s the rest who need to hear. We don’t go alone, God goes before us and behind us when we’re about his business. First thing shepherds did after coming face-to-face with Savior was talk about it: “made widely known (known abroad) the saying which was told them concerning this Child.” (Luk. 2:17) In middle of the night, no less! Didn’t wait for the next day, next time at church, next good opportunity; let everyone within earshot know immediately.

No need for caffeine to keep shepherds awake! Nothing would keep them quiet; going through streets of Bethlehem ringing doorbells, pounding door knockers, praising God with heart and voice, calling others to celebrate with them the birth of the Savior. May God spur us on like the shepherds to tell others where they may receive forgiveness of sin, be given life that never ends, find hope for future, be adopted by a heavenly Father who takes perfect care of his children.

Response to the Word

James 1:22-25

God’s Word repeatedly communicates principle that Christian life is to be one of change; God’s Word and God’s Spirit are primary agents of change in believer’s life. Change begins at beginning –

John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

Col. 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.

Continues as the Spirit applies the Word regularly to believer’s heart and life –

2 Tim. 3:16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, NET

Heb. 4:12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two – edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Listen to the words: teaching, reproof, correction, training, piercing – words that imply or require change in person impacted by the words. Those all describe nature of God’s Word from his perspective, what he has designed it to accomplish. God has also designed it so those changes come about in part by means of our response to work of Spirit and Word. It’s another one of those 100% + 100% = 100% deals: 100% God’s work by Spirit and Word + 100% our response = 100% sanctification.

James’ focus here continues on the Word as agent of change, necessary means in our growth in holiness. Told us v.19 how the believer should hear the word – a teachable spirit, being both attentive and submissive to its proclamation and application. Hearing the word is essential to health and growth for both believer and Church. Hearing comes in different forms: teaching and preaching, personal study, memorization of and meditation on the Word.

But, it can’t, according to God’s Word, stop there. Like most of life, things lead to things in sanctification, too. If you are teachable, attentive and submissive, and the Word is profitable, then….. what James takes up next.

A. injunction v.22

two ways to respond – doers and hearers; doer is strong action word, refers to someone who acts to produce a tangible result. Hearers are those who show up to hear a public performance. Effective doer must be effective hearer first; just shouldn’t stop with hearing.

each way characterized

be doers – right response. Requires taking in what is taught, analyzing to discover where thinking or behavior fails to measure up to standard, then taking action to come into conformity. Since standard is perfection, will always be opportunity for improvement, increased conformity. Means we should always be taking action in response to the Word. Even apostle Paul declared he hadn’t arrived but still needed to press on!

Phil. 3:12Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

don’t be just a hearer – wrong response. No politically correct speech here, James lays it on the line: hearing without acting just doesn’t cut it. Marking up your Bible is fine; but only an empty exercise if the Bible doesn’t mark you. Simply hearing the Word will not make you spiritual, nor will any other exercises short of putting it into action.

wrong response involves self-deception – to hear the Word and then not act implies something: the hearer believes that there’s no need for them to change. Either it doesn’t apply to their situation, or they’re already doing well enough in that area, or some other excuse.

folly of deception – stakes are forever in this discussion. To hear Word and not act on it means your very soul is in danger, eternal danger. Your assessment of your condition and God’s assessment are poles apart; may even mean that your view of spiritual condition is dead wrong. One who claims to be born again, may even attend church faithfully, read Bible and devotional daily, but life never changes to come into conformity with the Word – has no basis for claim. One who is truly born again will make progress in holiness; may only be baby steps, but will be progress toward God’s goal of perfection for the believer.

B. hearers v.23-24

an unforgettable image – literally “the face of his birth”, the face he was born with and has looked at regularly for years. May not like what he sees but he recognizes it as his own. If it’s a quality mirror and lighting is adequate, imperfections show up nicely; changes that have occurred over time and miles for good or ill can readily be seen. With or without warts we recognize our own image whether in mirror or picture, present or distant past. Especially true in case James sets up here: man is studying his image attentively, not simply giving it a quick glance.

an impossible response – One who has gone to that effort won’t simply walk away completely forgetting his own image. Would be totally unnatural response, indication of something seriously wrong: Gerry W. Same is true of genuinely spiritual person; just as it’s unnatural to forget what you look like physically, similarly unnatural to see your image as reflected from God’s Word and forget what it looks like. And not have desire to bring it into conformity with the Ideal, the Lord Jesus.

So,… bottom line, given impossible situation James just described, one who indeed possesses spiritual life at any level cannot hear God’s Word effectively taught and preached without being changed by it, without growing in Christ-likeness. Means the one who prays the prayer, maybe even baptized and church membership, but in habits of life are indistinguishable from world really is of the world and not of God.

C. doers v.25

Stark contrast – one who plumbs the depths of God’s “perfect law of liberty”, becoming so immersed in God’s law that it permeates thinking and doing, receiving blessing as a result. Salvation is not by works, nor is it without works; salvation is not through the law, nor is it without the law. What law is James referring to? That commonly referred to as Mosaic Law, God’s law having its foundation in God’s character, summarized in the Ten Commandments, further summarized in the two identified by Jesus. It is that law, God’s law, that he has purposed to write on the believer’s heart under the New Covenant (Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:26-27; Heb. 8:10; 10:16). The beauty and perfection and usefulness of God’s law wonderfully described Psa. 19:7-11, also Psa. 119.

Must understand that an individual’s relationship to God’s law depends on their standing with God. Those estranged from God, residents of Satan’s kingdom, are condemned by that law which exposes their sin, confronted by fact they have violated it in all parts and have no hope of ever satisfying its demands. The believer is no longer under condemnation of the law, its demands satisfied on his behalf by Lord Jesus; so for child of God the law is free to serve its design purpose – establishing framework for obedience to God, instructing believer how to live in way pleasing to Heavenly Father.

The law, containing the requirements of love and holiness, is perfect (Ps. 19:7a; Rom. 7:12), as the reflection of the nature of God, the expression of the will of God, and the instrument to arrive at the objective of God! For these reasons it constitutes wisdom (Deut. 4:6), and can provide wisdom (Ps. 19:7b). In fact, it is and provides the only true wisdom in the universe. It cannot be bettered and is indispensable. Krabbendam

God’s law is the perfect antidote against sin, liberating the one who is captive to it from sin’s prison house. Obedience to the law then spells life and liberty; our obedience is possible by virtue of what God has accomplished in us first by regeneration, then by ongoing work of Spirit and Word. Effectual obedience requires knowledge, hence “looking into the perfect law”, becoming more and more saturated by it, filled with its truth, guided by its principles, blessed by its author.

Apart from the law there is no blessedness. God’s declaration of independence requires the pursuit of holiness, not happiness. Pursuit of holiness in love and self-denial will result in happiness, not other way round. God’s perfect law of liberty is the only answer to Satan’s murderous lie of imprisonment. May God give us grace and strength to continue in that law, remembering what we hear and then faithfully obeying our Heavenly Father.

The Obedient Servant

Isaiah 50:1-11

If spent much time in woods hiking/hunting, experienced sinking feeling of suddenly becoming aware of where you are and nothing looks right. Things you remember along trail no longer in sight, not certain which direction is right one. Deep breath, long look and listen, must have figured it out ’cause you’re here today. The Jews in situation like that, walking with heads down, paying attention only to where feet were going. Something gets attention, stops in their tracks. Look to see where they are, where God is; nothing is familiar, don’t recognize surroundings, can’t see God anywhere. First response – whine and complain, “God, you forgot us; you’ve abandoned us.” (Isa. 49:14)

Don’t be too hard on them; Adam and Eve started the blame game, mankind has just kept it going since then. Some even seem to practice it up into art form, getting more creative as they get deeper in sin and rebellion. Is an exception to the rule, One who didn’t blame others when he could have. In fact, he asked for their forgiveness when they didn’t deserve it. He speaks to us in our text today, declaring in quiet, measured tones plain facts that all who hear know to be true. The Father answers Israel’s whining complaint, then the Servant describes his preparation for ministry, concludes by calling on his hearers to respond.

Yet even while Servant is speaking, focus stays on God – four times (4, 5, 7, 9) verse begins with “Adonai Yahweh”, Lord God or Sovereign Lord. The initiative, commission, and direction given to the Servant begin with God and Servant’s labors return the glory to God. Would the same could be said for God’s people.

A. Israel’s need v.1-3

it’s your fault, not mine – When finally dawned on Jewish people that something was wrong, first act was to point finger at God, blame him for what had happened. “Zion said, the Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” God answered the charge, “can a nursing mother forget her child”? Well, even if she forgets, I won’t. Now Lord revisits that question, asking Israel some pointed questions in return.

God first asks them to produce evidence that would incriminate him: divorce decree, a bill of sale. If God truly has abandoned his wife, there should be a record of the divorce. If he has abandoned his children, should be a record of when he sold them to pay his debts. Since no evidence can be produced, God explains why – God didn’t sell them, they sold themselves into slavery; God didn’t divorce them, they divorced him and married other gods.

In fact, when God called to them, they didn’t bother answer, were nowhere to be found. Their plight not because God lacked power, far from it: He commands, it is done. No, their predicament of their own designing; they loved their sin more than they loved God. They loved having their own way more than they loved God’s way. They loved gods of own making more than they loved the only true God. Were enslaved and far from God because they did what they loved most; loved themselves and sinful rebellion right into total ruin and bankruptcy. Had absolutely no way on their own to get out of their dire circumstances.

Remember: absolutely everyone else who walks the earth save One is in exactly same circumstances with same need. From first Adam to last human being to live, all are in sin with no way out until God intervenes.

B. God’s provision v.4-9

an obedient, prepared servant – God intervened by sending his provision, a Servant who was exact opposite of Israel and specially equipped to meet their need.

Israel made “mention of the God of Israel but not in truth or right.” (Isa. 48:1) Servant had a tongue that spoke words in season to the weary (4a), proclaiming truth sincerely and effectually.

Israel not there when God came, did not answer when he called (2). The Servant was awake, alert, on task and attentive (4b). When God spoke, Servant heard and responded appropriately – learning to do his Father’s will.

Israel was enslaved because of rebellion (1b). Servant was not just a hearer of the word, was a doer also. Heard what his Father said, learned from it, obeyed his Father’s teaching with singleness of focus (5). In every way Servant was prepared for ministry Father had called him to carry out. Just as God’s ancient people were to prepare for Messiah’s first coming, we are to prepare for his future coming, so he (Messiah) prepared for the work he would do.

Israel gave up being faithful to God when price got too steep. Servant would obey to the bitter end, endured being treated as common criminal and publicly humiliated. (6) True, he endured agony and final humiliation of death on cross, but didn’t begin there; had already experienced more than some men could survive when began his walk up the Via Dolorosa. And did it without complaining, or blaming, or seeking revenge, or hunting for way out. From even before his birth that was his destiny.

What kept him going? “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb.12:2) See here in Servants testimony the foundation of that joy:

“the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced.” (7)

“He is near who justifies Me” (8)

“Surely the Lord God will help Me;” (9)

The Father would make certain that the Servant succeeded; Father would make plain to all the world that Servant was not suffering on own account but for sake of others. Father would ensure that Servant was victorious over all adversaries. In fact, Servant was so confident of Father’s help he challenged anyone who dared to argue with him (8a), accuse him of wrongdoing (8b), condemn him (9).

C. Which will it be? v.10-11

turn or burn – Servant concludes third song with a twofold call and a warning. He calls on those who, like him, are obedient children and love the Lord to stand up and be counted. Keep doing what you’re doing – fully rely on God in all things at all times. Continue fearing the Lord, giving him worship and obedience that is his due, trusting in his provision.

Servant then calls on those who walk in darkness and have no light: the Servant is the light, sent to be a light not only to Jews but also to Gentiles. Turn to the light; trust in true God, one whose name reveals his character, whose name is Faithful and True. Rely on true God, not god of your own making; follow example of Servant, one who faithfully served and obeyed Heavenly Father so his followers might do the same.

Servant knew many among hearers would not heed the call to follow. Issued a warning that holds true today just as surely as in Isaiah’s day: if you persist in trying to light your own way, the fire of your own making will consume you. If you fail to turn from your own ways, you will face certain destruction, eternal torment for having rejected the only One who can help you. Servant would be identified by John as “the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” (John 1:9); to reject the true Light is to face future of eternal darkness. Heed the warning before it’s too late.

It’s an old story, of a baby to be born in Bethlehem, sent by his Father who loved the world. A story we should never tire of hearing, that Bethlehem’s treasure, the obedient Servant, is our peace because he has reconciled us to God. A story a dark and dying world needs to hear, one that is pictured for us in elements of bread and wine. May we tell story to others whenever have opportunity that they too may share the blessing of peace with God.