He Is Coming!
Isaiah 1:24-31
Advent means coming. These four weeks before Christmas are for us to remember the coming of Jesus the Christ both past and future. I did not grow up in a church that followed the liturgical year so it seems awkward to me to celebrate the coming of one who has already come. I feel a little dislocated in time. Yet I do not reject the importance of the news that “Jesus is coming.” Isaiah was a prophet that announced the coming of the One who would bring justice, a refiner’s fire upon the land. He was speaking to Judah at a time when it appeared prosperous. His description of the land could be talking about the United States today. He says “see how she has become a harlot! She once was full of justice and righteousness used to dwell in her—but now murderers!” I doubt that any of us would deny that the justice system in our own country is flawed. As for righteousness, just turn on the TV or prowl the Internet. Isaiah says that the most serious complaint is that they fail to defend the cause of the fatherless and the widow’s case does not come before them. The leaders love bribes and chase after gifts. The choice wine is diluted with water. Their silver is dross (in other words their currency has become worthless.) The leaders are more interested in gaining wealth than they are in seeking food for the hungry. Many of our people agree with this diagnosis as they camp out in parks to protest the greed of the corporate wealthy. I feel this failure to thrive as I walk the aisles of the grocery store and see the subtle ways the producers of our food try to make me think that I am getting value for my money. In reality they have changed the size of packaging, the quality and quantity of the food within, and upped the price anyway.
I feel this failure when I realize that the chances of accomplishing anything in our government is nil if one party will not listen to the other and the needs of the people are dismissed over receiving large donations for re-election.
I feel this failure when I hear the size of our national debt and the constant call to consumer debt.
I feel this failure when I hear of the numbers of homeless children living in cars and begging food. It would be easy to feel desperation and fear.
Isaiah would tell us, as he told the people of Judah, “Do not lose heart.” There is one coming who will make things right. He will purge away the dross and remove the impurities. Afterwards they will again be known as the “City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”
We as Christians believe in this One who has already come and who will come again to make things right. This One who comes in judgment will level those who have abused their positions at the top. And along with them, those who have been indifferent and played the game. Those who confess and are penitent will be restored but the arrogant will fall. “The mighty oak will become tinder and his work a spark; both of them will burn together and no one will quench the fire.”
While we rejoice in the news that righteousness will win the day, we must remember that Jesus has already come. The kingdom of God is at hand. It has been laid out for us what it means to be a kingdom dweller. And we are on one side or the other. There is no middle ground. We are on the side of righteousness and justice or we are on the side of those who benefit from injustice, those who enjoy our success on the backs of the poor—those children living in cars and eating garbage. You and I—are we fighting for this justice and righteousness? Or, are we reaping the benefits wrought by greed and injustice? Isaiah announces “He is coming!” and so He is!
