Jesus’ Ministry
February 5, 2019
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’ –Isaiah 6:6-8
In grade school I remember the teacher announcing some fun task and asking for volunteers and most of the students immediately started raising and waving their hands high so they would be picked. I do not get that same sense as I read Isaiah’s description of his communion with God reported above. He is a community of one being asked to volunteer for what seems an impossible task. It reminds me more of the time I was called by the state office of the agency for which I worked and was asked if I would be willing to transfer to another city to take a very challenging job. I said I would need a little time to think about it and the caller said, “We need to know in an hour.” I called back within the hour saying I would take the job and was thanked and told my ID badge for the new job was at the state office. I could pick it up the next morning on my way to the new assignment. My choice in the matter was apparently a foregone conclusion. It was nice to be asked. I think Isaiah knew he had been preparing for his calling for most of his life. In theory he could have said no but in his heart of hearts, in his commitment to a loving God wanting the best for God’s wayward children, Isaiah’s only answer could be, ‘Here am I; send me!’.
As we all plunge deeply in the well of God’s love, we too are being asked to do small and large things that are needed to fulfill God’s vision of a kingdom where everyone has enough and that all can reach their full potential. Our call may be as simple as voting responsibly or recycling our trash or donating cans of food for the hungry. A few are called to be an Isaiah speaking justice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Others are called to support these justice seekers. How do we respond today?
Prayer: Lord, speak clearly to our hearts today so that we can get about the business of loving like you. Amen.