Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT).
But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah is the prophet most closely related to the Exile and the Second Exodus when God brought Israel out of Babylon. He is also noted for his statements that foretell the coming of the Messiah. In Isaiah 9:2 we read “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” God wanted His people to know He was still with them and would act to forgive their sin.
This was fulfilled when Jesus came to be with us. John 1:4-5 tells us “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” God was still at work to bring us back! Isaiah also wrote “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). These are the titles and connections Jesus has with the Father and us. God sent His only Son to show us how to love Him and each other.
Jesus came to save us in a way we never expected, not as a mighty warrior but as a suffering servant. Isaiah tells us “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5). Christ bore the burden of our sin to redeem us to God. Now we are commissioned to tell the Good News of His resurrection to the world.
Loving Lord, You had a plan to recover us from our selfish ways all along. Thank You for the gift of Christ our Savior and the blessing of salvation. Make us part of what You are doing in the world now. Amen.
