Epiphany 3A Isaiah 9:1-4 - by Don Neuendorf
Few pastors will preach on this text because we just heard it in the Advent/Christmas season. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given..." But it gets repeated now in the Epiphany season because of the earlier verse (2), "the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light..."
In the midst of presidential campaigning, these verses make a nice contrast. I took a few young people to hear Senator John McCain speak yesterday...
I thought it would be a good experience for them, and a chance to learn something about how government works. They heard some things they liked, but they also saw how politicians work to dodge questions - to turn things to their advantage. And what was even more striking, they noticed for the first time the cheerleading aspect of the campaigns - the pep session shouts and the optimistic predictions about "the next president of the United States." (Lots of exclamation points!!!!!) If Senator McCain's people could have had him enter the room on the back of a giant elephant, riding in a howdah, they would have. And McCain is not unusual in this - in fact, I would say he is more humble than many. But our candidates do not ride into town on a humble donkey.
These verses make, as I say, I nice contrast. For this is a prophecy for the gentile nations. Us! They are a prophetic announcement of a new ruler to come who truly promises what all these modern candidates would like you to think they can deliver. Peace.
Every candidate in every party and from every part of the political spectrum wants you to believe that he or she can give you peace. World peace. Middle-eastern peace. Peace through strength or peace through wisdom. Peace in your personal life when you have the reassurance of a government provided health care and retirement. Or peace of mind when you know government is "off your back" and won't be interfering with or taxing you. They all say they can lead us to a new era of success, of prosperity, of justice, of honesty and openess, and of peace.
It's not true.
We've had high hopes sometimes when electing a president. But anyone who has lived a few years must have some cynicism by now. No one we elect will be able to achieve all these things.
But God's Son can. In fact, God's Son HAS. He has defeated our enemy already, and given us peace with God, our heavenly Father. And soon, very soon according to his view of time, he will establish eternal peace even for the nations when all things are at last brought under his rule.
Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!