Isaiah 42:9

Barbara Elliott

"Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."

The voice of Isaiah comforts his distressed people and reassures them that God has not forgotten them. Their difficult days of captivity will pass away and NEW things are on the horizon. Isaiah prophesies of the One who is coming to bring hope to their hopelessness, direction to their wandering, light to their darkness, and freedom and justice beyond their oppression. What great news was given to God's people, and we need to hear that same NEWS today! The Holy One that Isaiah foretold is Jesus Christ, God's only son, the Prince of Peace, who was with God at the time of creation, sharing the glory of His heavenly throne. In God's chosen time, Christ 'emptied himself to demonstrate the magnitude of His love for his people. He became the Slave descending to earth as a helpless babe born in a lowly stable, living a life common to ours with suffering and pain. What a paradox! Jesus Christ - the King of Kings - serving on earth as a Servant to God's people. He is the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the Good Shepherd who lies down his life for his sheep. Hymn writer Sylvia Dunstan wrote in her text 'Christus Paradox' that Jesus "came as a peacemaker and a sword bringer". All of his life Jesus preached of " a way that was narrow and a love that reaches wide."

His life was offered to us both as a "gift" and a "cost". And what is the cost to us? Jesus' blood was spilled so that we might choose to put away worldly distractions and become NEW creations in Him, to believe in the one true God and live as His children. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience, forbearing one another... forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, you must also forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Col. 2:12-14

0 Loving Lord,
Guide us to live and work and worship together as Your holy people, moving forward with faith and hope, confident that You have planned NEW things for Westminster, too. AMEN