Isaiah

Peace

Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14, and Romans 5:1

Peace with God and others comes only through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

 

Were You There?

Isaiah 52:13-53:12, et al.
The old song asks, were you there when they crucified the Lord? While this question serves as a powerful, evocative call to consider the facts of the crucifixion, it serves moreover to call us to consider the question in deeper ways. Looking into the matter, we see that the answer is “yes”, in at least one deeply foundational way for us all, and for some, two yet more powerful, glorious, and humbling ways.

The Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:1-7
War and conflict is all around us. It occurs everyday–around our world and within our hearts. The Bible says, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you” (James 4:1)? There is war in our world because there is a war within every soul. It ravages nations, people, and relationships. Our only hope is in One the Bible calls “The Prince of Peace.” This passage from Isaiah explains who he is and what he has come to do.

Darkness, Then Light

Isaiah 8
In Isaiah, darkness can be symbolic of sin and hopelessness. We see the dark clouds approaching, and they are upon us before we know it. As our nation reels from the horrific murder of innocent little children, the clouds appear more ominous than ever. How shall we make sense of what occurred? It is God alone who can shine into the dark. This morning, we try to understand why there is hope for those who walk in darkness.

Shear-Jashub: Judgment and Grace

Isaiah 7
In chapter 6, Isaiah received his commission, to harden the hearts of his people, yet with hope of a tiny remnant being made holy. In chapter 7, we see the beginning of this, as he is sent by God to speak words of assurance, and an offer of faith to a king who will refuse, and will lead his people down the road to ruin. It is in this context that we find one of our dearest Christmas prophesies, which would bear fruit ultimately in the birth of none other than Jesus, a sign for our faith today and forever.