God

takes justice very seriously. Through Isaiah, God declares that the

Messiah’s purpose on earth is to establish justice—and he will

not give up until that work is complete.

We

know today that the Messiah described here is Jesus Christ, the Son

of God, who came to conquer the power of sin in this world (see John

1-10). He came to bring forgiveness of sins and new life. He came so

that we could receive his righteousness and live by it. In following

Christ, we are agents of God’s mission in this world.

Our

part in God’s mission includes leading people to salvation in

Jesus, feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, visiting the sick,

and encouraging the discouraged. This has historically been the

ministry of the church. God brings justice; we point people to the

One whom God sent to establish it. In following Christ’s example,

we help reveal to the world what Christ came to do as the fulfillment

of God’s promise.

There

is no shortage of needs in the world. It can be discouraging and

overwhelming to consider how much injustice seems to prevail. Yet we

cannot let that stop us from taking steps today to join in God’s

mission. Let’s not grow impatient either. God isn’t finished yet.

In the meantime, we can be involved in a small part of what God has

promised, and he will do it. We put our hope in him.