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]
[2] Collects for the Epiphany season: Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis
[3] Ibid, Collect for 11 January
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