Sermon - 1/23/22

23 min•0 پلے•0 پسندیدہ

Religion

تفصیل

“It will not be possible to make me shut up. I will not stop talking, proclaiming, or preaching…. I will not pause. I will not rest, for the sake of the precious city God loved and left, and I will keep this up until every nation and king can see that Jerusalem has been declared innocent and lifted up to a place of glory and honor.” (Working Preacher, Anathea Portier-Young) It will not be possible to make me shut up! These are the prophet Isaiah’s words as he boldly acts as intercessor for Jerusalem. Following the exile, when the Jewish people returned to their land, it was decimated, and it seemed to them like a desert. The restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem met countless obstacles and delays. The Jewish people had been full of hope but, upon return to their homeland, they were battling deteriorating morale caused by broken dreams and crumbling faith. They felt God had turned away in indifference. So, Isaiah laments and boldly protests, interceding on the people’s behalf, and he holds God accountable. The notion of “holding God accountable” probably tends to make many of us squeamish, but the prophets frequently did this. Upon the Jewish people’s return to Jerusalem following the horrific experience of exile, they faced despair. It is in that place of despair, when they deeply feel utterly depleted, a place where they feel the absence of God, that the prophet speaks. Isaiah names their despair and holds God accountable. Then, the prophet promises newness, transformation and even new names signaling joyful union for Jerusalem and all the land around her. There will be change and transformation and abundant life will return! In today’s gospel reading, John gives us a story that starts with a recognition of need, of emptiness, of depletion. Jesus and the disciples are attending a wedding. As the scene unfolds, in-laws

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