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Our reading today picks up after yesterday’s warning to “stop regarding man, in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?”  For in the Day of the LORD, “mankind will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold… to enter the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of cliffs, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of His majesty.” 

In chapters 3 and 4 the LORD promises “…to enter into judgment with the elders and princes of His people…” Listen for the accusations He levels, and later, when again promising a day when the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, there will appear over Mount Zion a familiar sight: “a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of flaming fire by night.”

In the middle of chapter 5, Isaiah draws a critical distinction: “Man is humbled, and each one is brought low…But the LORD of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows Himself holy in righteousness.”  Multiple times throughout these opening chapters, the LORD is not satisfied to refer to Himself simply by name, but insists that His right to judge is based upon a holiness and righteousness that man does not possess. 

This is crucial to the indictment against Israel.  The LORD Himself is the horizon against which Isaiah can declare, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil… who are wise in their own eyes.”   The LORD planted a vineyard and gave it everything it needed; what more was there to do for it?  Why did it not produce good grapes? 

The commissioning of Isaiah in chapter 6 occurs “In the year that King Uzziah died,” approximately 740 B.C.  It’s as majestic and terrifying as anything we witnessed with Moses and Aaron.  Seraphim calling to each other above the throne “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of Hosts!” …Isaiah’s terror at the vision, “Woe is me! For I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips!  …and his response to the LORD’s query, “Whom shall I send, and who shall go for us? …Here I am!  Send me!”

Our verse for this week is Romans 8:38-39: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isaiah 3 through 6.  Now let’s read it!

The opening verse of Isaiah tells us immediately where we are in history:

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Brilliant.  First, we know where we are: Jerusalem, capital of Judah.  Occasional mention is made of the kings and kingdom of Israel, but politically Isaiah is working with the kings of Judah.  This is an important distinction.  While the LORD still treats all twelve tribes as His people, and Isaiah’s prophesies will often be directed toward all the descendants of Jacob, Isaiah is only able to interact directly with one throne. 

Second, we know when we are: the second half of the 8th century B.C.  To overlap all four of these kings, Isaiah would have begun his work near the end of Uzziah’s reign and completed it somewhere around 700 B.C., during the reign of Hezekiah. 

Likewise, in his opening oracle Isaiah lays out the LORD’s charges against Judah, answering why their land is being devoured. “What to Me is the multitude of your sacrifices… I have had enough of your burnt offerings… even though you make prayers, I will not listen… cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

Way back in Deuteronomy we noted “a curious mixture of laws about economic justice intermixed with laws about idolatry…as though there might be some connection between the two.”  Interestingly, today’s two chapters deal with the same issues.  In chapter 1, God addresses injustice; in chapter 2, He confronts pride and idolatry.  Over five centuries later, Isaiah provides further confirmation that the LORD demands total worship.  

Between these, there is renewed hope: “In the latter days… the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of mountains… Out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”  But as always, this is not about Judah or Jerusalem or Israel being lifted up, for “the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” 

Our verse for this week is Romans 8:38-39: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isaiah 1 and 2.  Now let’s read it!

“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened here in these days? …Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.  Moreover, some women of our company amazed us.  They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find His body, they came back saying that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive…”

On the road to Emmaus, two of Jesus’ followers are incredulous that their new companion has no idea about Jesus…the trial…and the cross.  Luke’s gospel has been filled with mystery and intrigue, and he holds the veil tightly shut – as shut as the minds of the disciples – until the very end. 

The trial that Luke paints for us is a portrait of such confusion that it can lead to only one conclusion – the conclusion that Jesus’ followers had already determined – that Jesus was unjustly convicted.  Multiple parties – the chief priests, the Roman Governor, and even Herod, the ruler of Galilee – refuse to make a decision about Jesus.  Yet none of them are willing to defend Him either.  They all do just enough to distance themselves from any real responsibility, while allowing Jesus’ fate to be sealed. 

From the chief priest’s house, to the governor’s, to Herod’s Jerusalem residence, and back again, and finally, to execution.  The parties that have done combat over Jesus’ position and authority do so even now, at the foot of the cross.  Only the centurion has clarity. 

Yet we, like Jesus’ disciples, should have seen it all along.  “O foolish ones,” Jesus declares, “and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into glory?”

In the final chapter, all of Luke’s themes come rushing together.  The Holy Spirit.  Angels.  Power and mystery.  Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms.  Even the Sabbath.  “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” the angel asks.  “He is not here, but has risen.”

Our verse for this week is Romans 8:38-39: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Luke 23 and 24.  Now let’s read it!