Isaiah
66:10–14—Those who
remained faithful to the Lord during the days when Isaiah prophesied in Judah
had reason to mourn over Jerusalem: hypocrisy, unbelief, and idolatry were
common among the people. Likewise, through the ages, including our own, God’s
faithful people have reason to mourn when they see the condition of the visible
Church: rejection of the authority of the Word of God, acceptance of sins,
rather than forgiveness of sins, being preached, and so on. Yet, we know that
the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Lord’s Church (Matthew 16:18),
so we can rejoice. We can rejoice, for the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ provides
nourishment, comfort, and abundance for our souls. As a mother nurses her
child, so we are nursed by the Holy Word of God.
Under the theme “The Nature of God’s Kingdom” Isaiah
tells us of life in the New Jerusalem. There is reason to rejoice for God
blesses her with prosperity and comfort.
The birth of a baby is a miracle, a wonder to behold.
Thus, Isaiah begins this oracle with the exhortation to rejoice in Jerusalem.
Don’t mourn for her! She is not dead! Her inhabitants have been carted off into
long captivity in Babylon and it would seem that there is no life in her; yet
she is very much alive. The LORD will cause her to bring forth sons who will
rejoice in her.
Isaiah’s prophecy breaks into our gloom and doom with a startling announcement; Like Jerusalem of old, the LORD’s church is very much alive! Despite appearances, it is not yet time to mourn over her. The LORD has begotten a Son twice; once in eternity and once in time, as He sent His only begotten Son into the world that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. And this Son has “given birth” to His Church. It is His church, it is His body. He has brought it into existence through His life, death and resurrection and He will maintain it and make it prosper.
Collect for
Proper 9: Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to
send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the
preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from hard and danger;
through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]
Amen
[1] Lift High the Cross, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for Proper 9, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 4, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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