I'm considering following the week of Prayer for Christian Unity (which our ecumenical association is celebrating this week) with a sermon on Christian Unity. God's plan was that Isaiah be spokesperson for God "to the nations." How can we articulate our message to the nations? I believe that Chistianity's best message is the one that we demonstate in acts of Mercy. Further that it is our time and compassion and labor at the side of those in difficulty that changes lives far more than dollars ever could. Is there anyone out there who is interested in the meaning for today of God's words to Isaiah? There is not a lot of interest in Isaiah in January, so if you have something, please post it! Thanks.
Brian in Buffalo
This profound poem moves in a progression from the "naming" of the prophet (who is identified with the community: he IS Israel) to the return of the exiles; and from there to the really startling assertion: that "it is too light a thing" for Israel merely to return from exile: It will be "a light to the nations" as well. (I.e., to Babylon, to Egypt, to enemies & friendly states alike.) The message for the church? Maybe this: We come to church to be "named," identified by God as part of the community of God's people (e.g. in Baptism; but also in other ways, we affirm the identity God grants us as children of God). We come to church to be "returned & restored" in spite of the general exile of our condition (see Brueggemann's "Preaching to Exiles" book). And once we're named and "returned" we're given the challenge/command/destiny of being a light to the nations, a witness to the Word and work of God in the world. God is no more content with our merely being named and returned than he was with Israel's; God's intention appears to be to send us out, not merely call us in. JB, San Diego
Yes, I agree with JB - God has chosen us to send us out. I am really interestested in how the prophet stresses that God had chosen him even before birth. "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob....I will make you a light for the nations" To me this is an important message for the church. We need to quit being so concerned with ourselves, taking care of our own members, not reaching out to others; we need to be outward-looking and reaching. God calls us not only to serve in God's church (that is too small a thing), but we are to be serving the world as well. Jesus says the same thing in Matthew 28:19 "Go make disciples of all nations" I'm sorry more people aren't interested in this Scripture. I think it's a good one. Jennifer in Mississippi
I've been thinking about MLK's life and the whole civil rights movement because of the upcoming holiday. I didn't want to do some kind of "eulogy" or "book report" type sermon, and was in a quaandry! Then I was struck by the Isaiah text describing the servant "Israel", a corporate image of the servant. I think I'm going to try and develop the image of Servant through the lens of the community of Afro-Americans, especially the black church. It seems to me that, central to King's message, was a very clear sense that blacks (and sympathetic whites as well)were to THEMSELVES vicariously suffer, in order to be a light to the nations. Indeed, I have experienced the black church in particular as a faithful servant witness to God's plan for a "rainbow coalition", in the midst of my own, and the culture's, deepening spiritual blindness. Thank God there has been some "light" dawning! I watched a special on the "Mississippi Burning" the other night, an event now over thirty years in the past, and was struck by how much has changed in Mississippi and beyond. Does this work?
Just noticed I didn't identify myself after my contribution on MLK's birthday, and the image of the black community and church as an image of Servant community. Well, here it is! I'm Norm from PA. Thanks to all for your contributions.