December 11, 2022 Text: Isaiah 35:1-10
Dear Friends in Christ,
As I said in the sermon last week and as most of you know I have a certain fear of dogs. So, picture the Lueck four in Eldorado Canyon State Park in Colorado this past summer. It was a beautiful day to hike in the Lord’s creation. We pick our first trail and as we begin up the mountain there’s a sign: “watch out for mountain lions.” “Uh, I’ll be in the car.” No, I am going up this mountain. One thing to do is make noise. I talk the whole way – loudly. We walk two trails that day – no mountain lions. Thank you, Lord. It was one of the best days of 2022.
The wilderness is a dangerous place. I just watched a recent show on park rangers. The things they do to rescue people is amazing. People getting lost, suffering heat exhaustion, encountering wildlife and going off the beaten path.
Our text today uses “wilderness” as a metaphor, an illustration for the dangerous things we live with that are very real. The point of the text is that Christ’s coming delivers us from all those things.
“GOD BRINGS LIFE TO THE WILDERNESS”
The wilderness is a great illustration of how difficult life is in a fallen world. Isaiah pictures burning sand, jackals, lions, ravenous beasts. God’s people in the Old Testament knew the wilderness as dangerous, populated by deadly animals, water is scarce, and crops don’t grow. It is easy to get lost. But the wilderness is also where God’s people learn to trust. In the wilderness God carried them and gave them water and guarded them and cared for them.
What is your wilderness? Living a lie? Personal shame? A relationship on the outs? Family members ostracizing you? Lost on a trail? Scared of what’s around the next corner? When you travel this wilderness of life there are serious dangers. We need deliverance. We need rescue. Hello, can someone send a park ranger?
God comes into this wilderness with life-restoring vengeance. Christ’s coming will make all things right again. Visualize what Isaiah wants us to see. The wilderness will flow and flower. The sufferers of personal “wildernesses” will rejoice in health and vitality. These were fulfilled in part in Jesus’ ministry as we see in today’s gospel lesson. They will be fully realized when Jesus returns in glory on the Last Day. Life, health, joy forever.
The heart of the promise is in verse 4, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” He will exercise vengeance on his enemies – sin, death, and the devil. Because of Christ’s coming and going to the cross we are no longer God’s enemies. We have been baptized into His death. It is relief and rescue for us as God brings life to our wilderness. He forgives our lies and shame. He can restore broken relationships with friends and family. He can lead you on the trail of life. He is with you always – even when frightened of turning the next corner of your journey.
I know. That day in the canyon I trusted His leading. He kept me alert. We had to turn some tricky, rocky corners that day but every time we did it was another “wow” moment of what God had made. After a while you almost forgot the danger. That is God’s presence.
We celebrate that presence again this Christmas. It is beyond the superficial feelings that characterize many Christmas playlists. Christian joy is the natural response of the people of God who are beginning to enjoy the fruits of a creation that will be restored to paradise.
This joy is so different from the world we live in. In our eternal world there is no more “sorrow” and “sighing.” No more weak hands or feeble knees. No more blindness, deafness, lameness, or muteness. No thirst. No ravenous beasts to devour which means no more “watch out for mountain lions” – woo hoo! We will gather together in the city of God in joy and gladness forever.
Christmas provides us a glimpse. It is partial and temporary. Give thanks for these moments during this holy season. It is a dim preview of the full rejoicing we will have with the return of Jesus.
As a church and as individuals we proclaim this promise to the weak and feeble. “Be strong. Fear not. God will come and save you.” Tell the anxious you know that God will come with vengeance . . . He will bring life to their wilderness, to save them.
No matter where you are placed, you can tell of these saving promises of God. Luther calls this the “mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren.” These promises encourage others. In our rejoicing the joy becomes contagious. Wouldn’t it be nice if this was the new pandemic? All of us feeling the joy of knowing Christ as Lord and Savior.
Where in the wilderness could someone use your aid? Who is stuck on a mountain of apathy? Who has left the trail of their faith? The Lord has given you, in his strength, the joy and privilege of speaking uplifting, joyful words to those struggling in their own personal wilderness. Christ is coming with vengeance to make right that wilderness. He will come and save you because God brings life to the wilderness.
Amen.