Isaiah
66:18–23—The LORD promises to bring all nations to Him at
Jerusalem
In this, the last chapter of the great Gospel-drenched
Book of Isaiah, the Lord speaks to His faithful. They will rejoice at the revelation
of His glory, especially at the Last Day, when this present age shall pass away
and God will bring forth new heavens and a new earth. The adoration of the Lord
by the faithful shall never cease. Tragically, however, the torment of those
who have rebelled against the Lord shall also not cease. Let us, then, ever
remain faithful to the Lord and to His Word, that we may be counted among those
whom the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, brings in from all the nations.
Many think of Isaiah as the great evangelist of the
Old Testament. This reading offers proof that this prophet is truly the bringer
of good news for all people.
Two major themes appear in the verses of our Old
Testament lesson. The one is the emphasis on the glory of God and the other is
the message that all nations will be brought to that glory. The inclusion of
all nations is one of the marks of the new age and gives the reader an obvious
connection to the New Testament, where the theme of newness is so
apparent.
The glory of God is very closely connected to
salvation history in the Old Testament. The link with the New Testament might
best be those sayings of Jesus in which He refers to His glory. It is clear
from these sayings that the real glory of Christ was not some magnificent,
radiant nature, but rather, the glory of suffering on the cross for the sin of
the world.
Collect for Proper 16 O Lord, You have called us to enter Your kingdom through the narrow door. Guide us by Your Word and Spirit, and lead us now and always into the feast of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[2]
[2] Collect for Proper 16, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
No comments:
Post a Comment