Sermon 11-27-2011  

Prophecy: Isaiah 52:7-10                                                      Luke 1:68-80

“The Prophecies”

PRAYER

        “Isaiah 52:7-10, begins his vision marveling at the beauty of the runner’s feet – beautiful because of the glorious news the runner brings – but it might be helpful to expand for just  a moment on the length of the run, the weariness of such a runner, and the rough terrain he must penetrate to carry his joyful message through. Think of a marathon runner whose goal is not just to finish but to carry critical news. Now we can feel the excitement of one who has come as fast as he can from a great distance, bringing the astonishing good news of the return of the Lord to Zion… Imagine the runner’s beating heart. Imagine his being so out of breath that he can barely pant out the news he carries. Imagine challenging our Christian community to carry the good news of God’s gift to us with that kind of intensity, and that kind of exultation!

The image of the messenger gives way to the sentinels on the high walls of the city, singing for joy. They have been straining their eyes to catch sight of the runner, or of some other evidence of victory. And now they witness “in plain sight”, according to Isaiah, “the return of the Lord of Zion.” What might it mean that they “see” the Lord return? Is it the sight of the dust raised by the victorious army at a distance? Is it the feeling of elation they experience at the knowledge of their people’s success, a feeling they identify as signifying God’s presence? Is it important that their response is to break into song?

The city is in ruins, so the prophet turns from the songs of the sentinels to address the very walls themselves, commanding the ruins to break into song? A metaphor, calling on the streets and building to sing, what song the walls of our city might sing, (or what song might the walls of our church sing?) Or what would it take to cause the streets to sing?

The image here is like asking someone right after the devastation of floods, an earthquake or a bombing. What could make those ruins sing? What message can come to those people in those places that would prompt their cities to celebrate the return of the Lord of Zion.”  

                             (Linda Lee Clader. “Feasting On the Word,” Year B, vol.4, p. 123-125.)

In Isaiah’s time as well as for us today, while “standing in the ruins, it is hard to envision a rebuilt city. Standing in the midst of death, it is hard to believe their will be a time of salvation and shalom.”

                        (Beth Laneel Tanner. “Feasting On the Word,” Year B, vol.4, p. 123)

“Imagine a world, with no neglected children; helpless, displaced and exploited people, or victims of tragedies or natural disaster.”

                         (Betty Miller, Thoughts for the Day, 11-25-11. www.bible.com)

It is hard to believe a world where people are not hungry, homeless, handicapped or jobless.

“Hope dies hard, but there comes a time when the promises of God seem to be never coming. Now God is calling Jerusalem to sing the praises of the good news that the messenger is yet to deliver.

The text reminds us that the best is yet to come. This baby will not remain docile and quiet in that manger. He will rise and grow, then preach and teach, heal and show us the way to live lives in the kingdom. For the people of Jerusalem, the exile was not the end of the story. Good news is coming. (Hope is coming, is the message!)

The messenger will bring “good news,” will announce “shalom” and “salvation” and declare “your God reigns.” The sentinels are to shout for joy because the Lord has returned to Zion. The ruins also shout for God has “comforted his people”… and has redeemed Jerusalem.” (Ibid). This was Isaiah’s message.

Many many, many years later, there a priest from the Levi Tribe. His name was Zechariah which means, God remembers.

“Zechariah was John the Baptist’s father and Elizabeth was his mother. As the story is written, Zechariah was chosen by lot, to enter the Sanctuary to offer the incense offering in the altar in the Holy place. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah and delivered a message from God that his wife, in her older age was going to have a son and that they should name him John. But Zechariah questioned God’s message, how can this be?  I am old as, is my wife; and the angel muted him for not trusting in the word and he was not able to speak until the birth of the child.” (Barclay, Luke, pg. 17)

Zechariah could not believe the messenger of God much less the message he was getting from the angel.  He was not ready to receive the good news. So, Zechariah waited for nine months to see the prophecies developing right in front of him, unable to express his joy fully.

“Elizabeth’s name means, God is good. For her, finding herself pregnant was of great joy, for she had been barren. She knew that God had a special purpose for this child, whom they named John.” (Ibid)

“In Palestine the birth of a boy was an occasion of great joy. So in Elizabeth’s house there was double joy. At last she had a child and that child was a boy. The neighbors gathered to celebrate with Elizabeth and Zechariah. They were very surprised that the boy was not named after his father, but that they called their son John,… “which means God’s gift or God is gracious.” (Ibid).  “Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue freed…” (Luke 1:64) And he was able to say, ‘His name is John, the name which the angel of God told me to call the child,’ and he began to prophecy about his son. Zechariah saw in his son, the one who would prepare the way for the coming of God’s king.” (Barclay, pg. 19) …the Messiah.

        Read the text of Luke 1:68-80 here.

In this prophecy, the circle of hope for the people of Israel is complete. The promise of the Messiah has come to life. John will be the guiding light to prepare the way of peace.

Mary is with child, the Messiah is coming and we wait in hope!