MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
Leading up to Christmas, we're focusing on God's words spoken through the prophet named Isaiah. Last week we learned that we can hope for change, because Jesus the Messiah brings light to a darkened world. This week, given the turmoil internationally and individually, we'll look at hope for healing in a damaged world.
A preface for today's scripture is, "Behold, the Lord, the God of hosts, will lop off the boughs with a terrible crash; those also who are tall in stature will be cut down, and those who are lofty will be abased. And He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron axe, and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One" (Isaiah 10:33-34). However, there is hope, because a shoot will grow out of one of them.
Jesus is called Son of David, and the Davidic covenant is considered one of the Bible's most famous promises. But Isaiah moves back a generation, to David's father Jesse, with a vision that One from that line would reign with righteousness. Some background is that David established an empire for Israel, made Jerusalem its political and religious center, and ruled as a servant king. But the unfaithfulness of kings who succeeded David brought the "family tree" of Israel to ruin, and its people were exiled. For centuries afterward, God's chosen people longed for a ruler who would restore the kingdom to its glory.
The words "Messiah" in Hebrew and "Christ" in Greek both mean "the anointed one". So, when early Christians added Christ to Jesus' name, they affirmed that He was the Old Testament Messiah. In the New Testament, Matthew began his book with genealogy, documenting that Jesus was the "Branch" springing up from the line of David. He then quoted an angel's words to Joseph, "'She [Mary] will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins'" (Matthew 1:21). Clearly the fulfillment of Isaiah's vision of God's anointed was the child to be born in Bethlehem. We'll look at three characteristics of His reign: justice, peace, and healing.
Isaiah wrote in chapter 11 that the promised ruler would have "the Spirit of wisdom and understanding" as He judged (verse 2). His justice would not be based on opinions or appearance (verse 3). He would uphold righteousness, even for those who had nothing to offer, such as the poor and afflicted (verse 4). He would clothe Himself with a ruler's best attributes - a belt of righteousness and faithfulness to God (verse 5).
The Hebrew term for peace is "shalom", an overall wellbeing, a wholeness, and a sense of calm even in the midst of disruption. Isaiah's world suffered unrest, and the words he wrote were applicable then as well as in our circumstances. In Isaiah 11:6-9 the prophet depicts a world at peace with itself, both animals and people. The passages describe predators and prey coexisting in harmony, as their natures are changed. In humans, contentment replaces control and greed, and trust replaces fear. It sounds too good to be true, but that was the world created in the beginning for Adam and Eve, when God came "walking in the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8) to have close fellowship with humans. The words of the Lord through the prophet offer assurance in the midst of suffering and pain.
Finally, God's anointed one will bring healing. Toward the end of Isaiah's book, he recorded what the chosen One's mission and effect would have on the world. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord" (Isaiah 61:1-2a). This is the prophecy that Jesus read from a scroll in the synagogue (Luke 4:18-21), declaring that the scripture had been fulfilled in Him.
Bringing justice, peace and healing was the calling for the baby in the manger. Through Jesus' sacrifice and the Holy Spirit who came at Pentecost, all who believe can be a strong witness to the glory of the Lord. They can endure the worst and remain steadfast. Those become possibilities when we're delivered from bondage to an inborn nature found in each person. The apostle Paul wrestled with the power of that sinful tendency, that seemed at war with what he intended to do (Romans chapter 7). Like Isaiah's image of the wolf and lamb living at peace, our natures can be changed through the power and grace of God.
Mary and Joseph's baby was born into a world where Rome occupied the land, and where King Herod tried to destroy him along with countless other infants. When we look at the state of our world, we're filled with a longing for peace. God promised centuries ago there will be peace on earth, and an opportunity to personally know the Prince of Peace. As we let Him reign in our lives, He brings justice and righteousness, peace, and healing for all who are threatened or broken.
