Advent 2022 – Joy

December 11, 2022 Pastor: Hardin Crowder Series: Advent

Topic: Joy, Advent

The following was written to serve as a devotional in lieu of a sermon. The Sunday worship hour for this week was instead devoted to our church's Christmas Program. 

Scripture Reading:

  • Isaiah 35:1-10
  • Hebrews 12:10-14

Introduction:

So far in our Advent series we have been focusing heavily on the prophecies of Isaiah. On the first Sunday of Advent we focused on Isaiah 2:1-5 and the idea of Hope. On the second Sunday of Advent we focused on Isaiah 11:1-10 and the idea of Peace. This week we continue the trend by focusing on Isaiah 35:1-10 and the idea of Joy. At this point you may have noticed a pattern forming. Every Isaiah passage we have read is focused on a Messianic prophecy that will result in a radical transformation of multitudes, and ultimately in a transformation of creation itself. Isaiah 35 is no exception.

A Highway of Holiness:

For Israel, the central saving event of their faith was the exodus from slavery in the land of Egypt, but in Isaiah 35, the prophet paints a picture of a coming exodus that will be far greater than the exodus from Egypt. The people will travel along a flowery highway of holiness that will reconnect people with God.

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
    the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
it shall blossom abundantly
    and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
    the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
    the majesty of our God…

And a highway shall be there,
    and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
    It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
    even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

Isaiah 35:1-2 & 8, ESV

In this bright vision of the future, God has both “saved” (v. 4) and “ransomed” (v. 10) His people. In the days of Isaiah, the people probably saw this prophecy as an immediate historical restoration of Israel from exile, but if that was the case their return would have been somewhat of a disappointment.

No lion shall be there,
    nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
    but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
    and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
    they shall obtain gladness and joy,
    and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35: 9-10, ESV

While there was certainly singing, gladness, and joy at the conclusion of the exile, can it be truthfully said that they returned to a home free from danger? No, the Israelites who chose to return from exile found a homeland in disarray with much work needing to be done in order to restore her former glory. Can it be said that, “the eyes of the blind [were] opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped” (v. 5) or did “the lam man leap like a dear and the tongue of the mute sing for joy” (v.6)?

No, the restoration of Israel was only a foretaste of the true and greater exodus. This great exodus would not be from a pagan empire, but from the very dominion of Satan himself. The salvation and restoration Isaiah foresaw was an ultimate salvation from the powers of sin and darkness. It is only in the new reality that the Messiah would bring that we can truly recieve “everlasting joy” (v 10).

The signs of Isaiah; the blind given see, the deaf given hearing, the lame walking, and the mute speaking, are all signs that found their fulfillment in Jesus. Christ himself points to this fact when John the Baptist asks about Jesus’ identity and the kingdom to come.

And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Luke 7:18b-23, ESV

Where then is this highway of holiness on which the redeemed and saved can journey to God? (v 8). Where can we go to see the glory of the Lord and the majesty of God? (v 2). Jesus himself is the way. We see God in the person and work of Christ.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:5-7, ESV

In keeping with our Advent theme, let us live in joy with the knowledge that the Kingdom of God has come and is going forth into all the world. The beautiful imagery we see in Isaiah 2, 11, and 35 is looking ahead towards a reality that has already dawned with the coming of Christ. What then should we do with this new reality?

Strengthen Weak Hands:

Strengthen the weak hands,
    and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who have an anxious heart,
    “Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
    will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
    He will come and save you.”

Isaiah 35:3-4, ESV

These words were written to the Israelites of Isaiah’s day, but the author of the book of Hebrews takes these very word and applies them to the Christian life and hope:

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:11-14, ESV

If we find ourselves with weak hands, feeble knees, or an anxious heart, we should do as Isaiah encouraged the Israelites of his day. We should find strength and courage by looking to God and finding assurance in His promises. We should also listen to the author of Hebrews, who encourages us to accept discipline and strive for peace, in keeping step with Christ who leads us down the way of holiness.

Take encouragement from the fact that, as children of God in Christ, we are in no danger of God’s holy wrath. We may experience our Heavenly Father’s loving discipline, which is “for our good, that we may share his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10) but we never need to fear that God will ever become too frustrated with us to restore us again.

Those who walk on the way;
    even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

Isaiah 35:8, ESV

How wonderful it is to know that God’s goodness is so much greater than our foolishness! I have heard it said that if it were possible to lose our salvation, we would all lose our salvation. Praise God that, while we strive for holiness, our salvation and our joy is found always and forever in Christ alone.

May God Bless!

More in Advent

December 17, 2023

Advent: Joy

December 18, 2022

Advent 2022 - Love

December 4, 2022

Advent 2022 – Peace