3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Scripture: Isaiah
9:1-4
Isaiah 9 is the chapter that gives us that great word, “For
to us a child is born … and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The passage for today sets
the stage for those verses. It sets up a picture of relief for those who have
lived in anguish and the gloom of sin and its consequences. The theme of light
and darkness is a common thread for Epiphany. This text uses that theme to encourage
us to wait for God’s salvation to burst through the gloom of a sin-filled word
like light in the darkness, and to rejoice when we experience his redemption.
Teaching
As Isaiah ministered to Israel, one of the key issues he had
to confront them about over and over again was their idolatry. In the verses
before the reading for today (Isaiah 8:11-22), Isaiah describes the situation.
He finds people who no longer wait for the Lord their God, but instead consult
mediums and necromancers for guidance. They sought comfort and direction in the
powers of this world instead of in the testimonies and teachings of the Lord
their God.
In today’s reading Isaiah speaks of the breaking of the
darkness for those who waited on the Lord. They suffered the anguish of living
among those who disobeyed the Lord, but the day of their salvation would be
like a great light piercing the darkness – a flood light shining on those
treading water in a dark sea. Their salvation is like the removal of heavy
weight from their shoulders; a glorious relief. The result of God’s salvation
in the one who is saved is joy.
Life
In many ways we ourselves are tempted to search after hope
and guidance from sources other than God’s teaching and testimonies. People
find meaning and purpose in their politics, their scientific theories, and, for
some, even in superstition. Where do you struggle to wait for the Lord? When do
you lose patience with God or decide to use other means to give you hope?
We are also people who have experienced God’s salvation in
Christ. When Jesus bore the cross it was like he bore the yoke of our burden,
broke it, and set us free. There is joy in Jesus’ salvation. How is that joy
displayed in your life? How is your joy like light in a dark place?
Prayer
Instruction,
Thanksgiving, Confession, Petition
Father in heaven, you teach us that although we have walked
in the darkness of our sin, the light of your salvation shines on us in Jesus.
You have given us joy and set us free from the burden of sin. We thank and
praise you for taking sin’s burden from us and breaking its hold on us. We
thank you for enlightening our darkness. Forgive us for the times that we feel
drawn to return to the darkness, and when we try to bear the burden of our
salvation on our own instead of simply trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice and
victorious resurrection. Fill us with the joy of your salvation. Make the joy
you give us like light that shines for other so that they, too, may be drawn to
you. Grant that all people may see your light and receive your salvation. We
pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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