Visions of Peace III
Isaiah 35:1-10

† In Jesus’ Name †

May the Grace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ help you realize you dwell in the most incredible and unexplainable peace!

• The Promise

Have you ever talked to someone who, though speaking English, was using the technical knowledge that is known only to people in their own work?

Maybe they are a lawyer and tossing around terms that you think might have been Latin, or a doctor talking about your health in medical terms that have 16 syllables per word. Maybe it is an engineer, or someone talking about crocheting.

Pastors aren’t immune to this either. IN fact, one of the many reasons I miss one certain person’s presence, is that she always signaled me when I used to many theological terms, and didn’t define them. She does it with such grace that I could never be offended by it, but that she wants to know what I am saying… is a wondrous thing!.

One of those technical theological terms is the word “gospel.” We know it is something I am suppose to preach, that you all are supposed to share with loved one, neighbors, friends, even enemies…

We know it has something to do with God’s love, and with Jesus, and the cross.

But the gospel is more than that…

The gospel, completely revealed, is what Isaiah describes in our Old Testament reading this morning…

It is heavenly…

And that is why Isaiah says to share it,

“With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. ⁴  Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

I don’t know about you—but I could use some strength and encouragement!

And the gospel should do that—as you look for the incredible change in all of creation that comes with Jesus’ return!

• The Party

For someone who had to deal with wars and oppression, Isaiah has an incredible vision for life in Christ.

He describes it so incredibly! Places where there is little life just explode with life. I am not sure if I would use the deserts and wilderness and the flowers that appear over a few hours.

So I came up with a different example.

Everything comes to life as fast as Christmas decorations proliferate stores and streets at the first opportunity. Think about how fast everything changes!

I mean ever here—yesterday at 10 there were the poinsettias and by noon—everything was different; the tree is up and lit, there is green all around, there is the sense that Christmas is near.

But it is not just how things look that changes.

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. ⁶  The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. ⁷  The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived!

What an incredible vision this is!

Imagine if after church we had a basketball game, and Tom and I were running full bore up and down the court, doing things we haven’t done in 20 and 30 years?

Imagine everyone with hearing aids being actually able to hear what their wives are saying and responding to what is said!

I shouldn’t keep saying, “imagine” as if this is some kind of naïve, idyllic pipedream.

I should say “look forward to” for that is the gospel, that is the truth. We are looking forward to this, not just thinking it might come

God has promised. He has sworn it will be true and guaranteed it with the blood of Christ.

This is what we long for, when everything broken in our lives and in the world… is made brand new….

Including our hearts and souls… everything is made new as we celebrate in the presence of God, our Creator, our Redeemer, the One who draws us into a special relationship with Him!

• The Way

That relationship was described in the of Acts as those who were “followers of the Way,” probably with this passage from Isaiah in mind. This is well before we were known as Christians or little Christs.

To be on the way means we are walking with Christ, for He has ransomed us, in order to walk with us on this way home.

Here it described again,

There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it. ¹⁰  Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

I would equate this as going on a plane trip—from our baptism to heaven is simply walking up the ramp from a plane to the terminal.

The excitement is building—we know we’ve arrived; we are where we are supposed to be. Now more hassles, no more security checks, no more struggles. Just the excitement of being at our destination.

That is where we are at right now, because Jesus came.

We are almost there, at the point where we will see God face to face…

Because Jesus came into our world—all our troubles are taken care of—all our weaknesses and instabilities. All our guilt and shame…

We are in His Kingdom even now… and those who depend on Him, and come to love Him, will rejoice…

For Jesus Christ is born, and was born for you.  AMEN