This afternoon Christopher and Benjamin will go see the new Transformer movie. I am sure that the special effects will be impressive. But as read from Isaiah 6 I am reminded that these artificial effects would pale in comparison to what a lonely prophet saw as God's robe filled the temple and Isaiah saw him "high and lifted up." The power and majesty here are really beyond our words to describe. Yet God does something amazing in the midst of this spectacular event. An angel comes down and touches Isaiah's lips with a hot coal in an act of forgiveness and cleansing. One man, one calling ... it seems that God is making a statement here.
Maybe God is saying one man can make a difference. Isaiah becomes the most prolific and most quoted prophet from that small fraternity of prophets. He confronts kings and self-impressed leaders. He predicts and pronounces great judgment. He tells of the birth, life and death of Jesus is accurate terms. He IS a difference- maker. The Good News is he is used by God.
Maybe God is saying that there is a message that must be told. That message is beyond any man and is about a God that will be revealed and will be known in spite of our apathy, idolatry, ruthlessness, self-focus and lack of understanding. God is certainly intent on getting His message out and will make sure it becomes known. Those who tell it and bring it to the people will be blessed with their service and persecuted if they do it honestly. The Good News is that he has a home in God's house.
And, maybe God is saying something about a process. In a world where we have been told to pray a prayer and we can get cheap grace from a powerful God, maybe God is telling us there is a process He has ordained for those who will follow Him. That process in Isaiah is to relate to God (God is big/holy/mighty ... I am totally undone in His presence), see ourselves clearly and repent (I am a sinner and I live with a community of sinners), allow God to touch us with His grace (Isaiah's lips are touched and He is made clean) and then 1) hear the need (who will go out with the message) and 2) respond (here I am Lord ... send me).
Read the story ... feel the power ... hear the call ... respond!
No comments:
Post a Comment