Tuesday 18 March 2014

Background

The early chapters of Isaiah are most probably written by theprophet at a time of great trouble. These verses therefore, are anoffering of hope to the Jews as Isaiah proclaimed that God wouldgraciously preserve a group of faithful people from among them fora time of worldwide peace.

Much of Isaiah is quoted in the New Testament, so many phrasesare resonant with what the Gospels include. These verses can remindus of many of Christ's teachings such as the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) for they encourage us to go andlearn as though it is not taken for granted that we will naturallydo good, pursue justice etc.

Our frailty as human beings makes us vulnerable to influencesthat take us away from God and what God hopes for us, so we mustlearn and stop doing evil things! Isaiah then speaks in pictorial,clear language about what is wrong and what can be made right withGod. Through Isaiah God is offering hope to the people of Israel.God is not prepared to abandon them and is always there to bringabout change (ie redemption). Even in the worst of times God longsfor relationship with the people; God's desire is to be connectedwith them, to maintain the covenant.

The longing that is of God, keeps us close and draws us evencloser to the loving gaze of the creator. As humans we know ourneed for each other and how we can feel when our humanrelationships are hurting. If we translate that relationship intothe relationship God wants with us we can begin to understand whyGod wants to wash us clean and keep us like wool, warm andcomforted by God's continual presence with us.

To Ponder

• What is your experience of the Methodist Connexion? Whatresonates for you between your knowledge/experience ofconnexionalism and our relationship with God?

• Where do you feel most warm and comfortable as a disciple ofChrist?