Wednesday prior to Epiphany 2

 

[1]

Isaiah 49:1-6— Called to witness – Witnessing to all nations

Witnessing to all nations. The Lord calls His servant, Israel, to bring the light of salvation to the nations. Here we have the second of the servant songs in Isaiah. The servant tells how the Lord called and chose him before he was born. For the task of restoring Israel, he was equipped with a mouth “like a sharp sword” and was made like “a polished arrow.” Yet, he feels that his labor was in vain. Then the Lord speaks to him and becomes his strength. However, the Lord has broadened his task to bring light and salvation not only to Israel but also to the whole world.

All of the readings for this coming Sunday coincide perfectly with the central emphasis of the Epiphany season that the Gospel of salvation is to be proclaimed to all especially to the Gentiles. The light of the World has come and He brings redemption to all nations. This message, of course, must be proclaimed to all nations and this is the point at which the message of the readings including our reading from Isaiah meets the message of Epiphany.

This reading comes from the second servant songs of Isaiah. It shares many similarities with the first son, but it emphasizes the Epiphany theme even more emphatically. This passage of Scripture is in the form of a dialogue between the Servant and the LORD Himself.

 Collects for the Epiphany Season: Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory.

 Father, You revealed Your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to Your glory in heaven by the light of faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. [2]

 Collect for 11 January: All-powerful Father, you have made known the birth of the Savior by the light of a star. May he continue to guide us with his light, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [3]

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[1] Luther’s Seal, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collects for the Epiphany season: Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis
[3] Ibid, Collect for 11 January