First Preached 10th Jan 2010
Isa 43.1-7 : Luke 3.15-17&21-22 Epihany 1 C
To take the OT because it has such words of comfort.
Because it is very personal. It is a new note in the prophets who principally address the nation, or the rulers of the nation.
Because it presages the NT and hence reminds us of Gods patient working. (Sometimes we think his maddeningly patient.)
It would have been words of comfort to a battered and scattered people. Living in exile in Babylon, but aware also that the nation was now scattered. Some in Babylon, some in Egypt, some God knows where. But the assurance is that he does know.
The nation had lost its structure, its temple, its king, its land. It must have felt forsaken. “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” Psalm 137.3 Part of Isaiah’s reassurance is that God is not just the God of the land of Israel, but the God of the whole world –the whole universe.
But here in contrast and amazingly is the fact that this transcendent God, The first and the last apart from whom there is no God Isa 44.6 expresses himself in such terms of affection: Since you are precious and honoured in my sight and because I love you.
The echo comes in the words of God’s voice to Jesus, “You are my Son whom I love, with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3 .22
We should never forget this Fatherly love of God. Those whom he loves, may go through fire and deep waters, but God will not forget nor forsake. Those whom he has sworn to make his own he will not abandon.
The promise in Isaiah is quite general. In the Baptism of Jesus it becomes quite specific. The way in which God calls us, and the sacrifice he will make to redeem us.
We need that personal. We need also the assurance of the greatness of the God who promises. Isaiah gives us both.
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Isa 43.1-7
| 1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God,
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4 Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth- 7 everyone who is called by my name,
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Tags: Comfort, Epiphany 1 C, Isaiah 43:1