Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014    

Isaiah 65: 15 – 25

How appropriate that as we end one year and look forward to the start of a new one, we read one of Isaiah’s prophecies of the new world and world order that God promises.

There are visions of physical prosperity and safety: those who build houses will be able to live in them; people will eat from the fields they plant; enemies will be no more.  There are also visions of emotional and spiritual prosperity and security: no sounds of weeping, no infant death, old age the norm.  [Read this in The Message if you can – the vision is expanded with wonderful detail.]

The reason for this is God.  God chooses to create a new heaven and a new earth and says he will “create my people as pure delight.” (18) “All the earlier troubles, chaos and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten.”(17) “They themselves are plantings blessed by God, with their children and grandchildren likewise God-blessed.” (23)

I find the challenge to be in living this way now – for Jesus said that the kingdom of God was near, present, within.  This is not then just a future vision but also a present possibility.   All my past sin is indeed forgotten by God (if not always by me or others).  The pain of the past does not need to scar my ability to take joy in the gifts of the present.  I can be part of this new creation now, both receiving and giving blessing with my brothers and sisters in God’s family.

The passage concludes with a vision that Isaiah has used before: that of the wolf lying down with the lamb.  At St. John’s, in the Nursery downstairs, is a painting of this vision, a gift from Peter Mansell to the whole church and the children in particular.  It is well worth a visit.  Take the time to see how all of creation is delighting in God’s peace. “Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill anywhere on my holy mountain,” says God.” (25)

Blessings

Ann Kelland