Isaiah 7:10-16. Do you really want Christmas?? 19/12/10
(10) Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, {11} "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." {12} But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test." {13} Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? {14} Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. {15} He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. {16} But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
Christmas is only a few days away now, but the question is do we really want it? Do we really want Christmas? Yes, I am sure we do. Well we certainly want the presents, dinner, drinks, the family get togethers and all of that; but when it comes to the real meaning of Christmas; well, I wonder if that is not a different matter. Do we really want to be reminded that the Lord God Almighty is with us? Do we really want to know that God in Jesus has comes to you and me personally to transform our lives and to help and guide us in a whole new life? Or do still prefer to live life our own way, doing things without the constraints of having to consider where God fits into the picture: simply wanting to be selfish, self-centred people? Do we really want God with us or not is the question?
In thinking this question through, our reading before us fits well. You see, like Ahaz we are quite happy to say we want God with us and that he is for real. But in our everyday life, we see and act as though this is something that is far from reality. He is with us in truth, but we live and act as if everything relies on us and our planning.
King Ahaz here, was very much in this mode. He was a very young and practical man. But here he had two great armies bearing down on him and he knew that if he didn’t get a strong and powerful ally on his side, he was in trouble. So he planned on getting another strong neighbouring country to help him out. He figured to himself that this was the only way that he and Israel were going to survive. So he set about doing a few deals so that he could get out of trouble. He bent the rules: even those that God had set before Israel, so that he could be seen to be onside with those he wanted to please. No great drama. As soon as Israel was on top again, all would be well.
But the Lord through Isaiah urges Ahaz not to go down that track at all: Instead, to rely on his God for deliverance and help. After all, he can do far more than any human army; without Israel having to compromise its own stand in life. Isaiah even goes so far as to tell Ahaz to ask God for a sign, great or small, and then he would know that God will help him out: that he can be trusted. So Ahaz has no need to get uptight about the impending dangers.
But Ahaz, like us; ‘Oh, no, no we can’t put God to the test. He expects us to do what we can. He has given us a brain to use; and we have got to be practical about these things. And you know, we don’t want to be left looking the fool. Look I can and I must do my bit. I have got my pride you know.
In this regard, we need to take a lesson from Ahaz and what happened. He went ahead and called on the Assyrians to help him out. They gave him all the promises in the world, but then came in and ripped Israel off completely. That which he trusted in, in earthly terms, proved to become his downfall. The Assyrians took over Israel and made them completely sub-servient to them. All because they refused to listen to and take the Lord God Almighty seriously.
Now there is a message there for us today. How many are there today who have put their trust in money and material possessions, and have by that money been dealt a cruel blow. Or who have sought full security in their farms, businesses, or whatever, and through those very means found nothing but trouble and heartache. Or who have looked to education and a good job and there not found the satisfaction and fulfilment they had sought, but the very opposite. So already, there is a lesson for us.
But the remarkable thing in this whole reading, and which we need to keep in mind, is that the Lord still gave them a sign. He continued to remind Ahaz and his people that the Lord was still present and active in life, for the good for his people and the destruction of those who chose to ignore him and go against what he has to say to them.
Now the sign he gave was not some big spectacular stars flashing in the sky: a message in neon lights for all see: But a woman; a virgin, giving birth to a child and naming him Immanuel. That was to be the sign that the Lord was still with them despite the fact they were determined to go their own way. This sign was to show throughout history, that God was more anxious to help, than Ahaz and we also are of being helped. It was to remind them and us again and again that there is another way out of the predicament that we have gotten ourselves into. Now sure this sign didn’t mean that everything was going to go Ahaz’s way, or ours. But it was a sign and a promise that God was with them and had not forgotten them. That he had not turned his back on them, but they on him.
Now today in a different context we have the same sign before us here. Despite our unwillingness to heed God’s active and helping presence, he still reminds us over and over again, every year, that he is with us. This Christmas that same sign is held up for all to see. That same assurance of God’s love, power and trustworthiness is there for us. The same guarantee that victory is there for us over our enemies: particularly that of sin, death and the power of the devil; which can destroy our spiritual lives. The birth of the baby Jesus to the virgin, Mary is that wonderful sign and promise that all of this is there for each and every one of us. But it is more than simply a historical sign. Immanuel – God with us – is both his name and his being for us even today.
So now, as we face our troubles and hardships of life, we are assured that there is another presence here with us that makes all the difference. So instead of merely relying on our own strength and wisdom, we have another great power to assist us. Now instead of turning to money and other sources of power to come to our aid, we now know that there is One that we can truly rely on. Yes, we need to seek to do the best we can in any given situation, because we now know and trust that the Lord is with us always. But we also now know that he is there with us even in the rough and tough of our life, seeking to use it all for good and positive purposes. Jesus death on the cross clearly indicates that God is right there with us in the very depths of life to bring about good for his people. That surely is a tremendous comfort and help to us; particularly in those times when we find it hard to see where there can be anything good.
Now sure, from time to time that will also mean that we will be reminded and convicted of our sin and the need for us to change and mend our lives, and to do things differently than what we see in the world around us. But once again, it will still be there for our benefit and for the good of the people around us. It is a necessary part of our life that we be reprimanded, corrected and redirected because many times our ways are far from good and honourable.
So this Christmas again, there is that sign given to us that God is with us. Whether we want him to be a part of our personal Christmas or not, Jesus will still be there. Whether we want this Christmas and the coming year to be different or not, God Almighty himself will still be there and at work in our world. To ignore him and struggle on under our own strength, is to do so to our own detriment. However to place our faith and hope in him, and to trust in him, is to open up a whole new perspective to life: one that gives meaning, purpose and hope for us and our future: one that does give true joy, peace and goodwill to this festive season and the years beyond. It is all there for you and me. It is all there in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. He is the sign that we all need in order to go forward and face the future confidently. So look to him; trust him; and allow him full reign this coming week and beyond. And a very blessed Christmas to you all in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
(10) Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, {11} "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." {12} But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test." {13} Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? {14} Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. {15} He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. {16} But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
Christmas is only a few days away now, but the question is do we really want it? Do we really want Christmas? Yes, I am sure we do. Well we certainly want the presents, dinner, drinks, the family get togethers and all of that; but when it comes to the real meaning of Christmas; well, I wonder if that is not a different matter. Do we really want to be reminded that the Lord God Almighty is with us? Do we really want to know that God in Jesus has comes to you and me personally to transform our lives and to help and guide us in a whole new life? Or do still prefer to live life our own way, doing things without the constraints of having to consider where God fits into the picture: simply wanting to be selfish, self-centred people? Do we really want God with us or not is the question?
In thinking this question through, our reading before us fits well. You see, like Ahaz we are quite happy to say we want God with us and that he is for real. But in our everyday life, we see and act as though this is something that is far from reality. He is with us in truth, but we live and act as if everything relies on us and our planning.
King Ahaz here, was very much in this mode. He was a very young and practical man. But here he had two great armies bearing down on him and he knew that if he didn’t get a strong and powerful ally on his side, he was in trouble. So he planned on getting another strong neighbouring country to help him out. He figured to himself that this was the only way that he and Israel were going to survive. So he set about doing a few deals so that he could get out of trouble. He bent the rules: even those that God had set before Israel, so that he could be seen to be onside with those he wanted to please. No great drama. As soon as Israel was on top again, all would be well.
But the Lord through Isaiah urges Ahaz not to go down that track at all: Instead, to rely on his God for deliverance and help. After all, he can do far more than any human army; without Israel having to compromise its own stand in life. Isaiah even goes so far as to tell Ahaz to ask God for a sign, great or small, and then he would know that God will help him out: that he can be trusted. So Ahaz has no need to get uptight about the impending dangers.
But Ahaz, like us; ‘Oh, no, no we can’t put God to the test. He expects us to do what we can. He has given us a brain to use; and we have got to be practical about these things. And you know, we don’t want to be left looking the fool. Look I can and I must do my bit. I have got my pride you know.
In this regard, we need to take a lesson from Ahaz and what happened. He went ahead and called on the Assyrians to help him out. They gave him all the promises in the world, but then came in and ripped Israel off completely. That which he trusted in, in earthly terms, proved to become his downfall. The Assyrians took over Israel and made them completely sub-servient to them. All because they refused to listen to and take the Lord God Almighty seriously.
Now there is a message there for us today. How many are there today who have put their trust in money and material possessions, and have by that money been dealt a cruel blow. Or who have sought full security in their farms, businesses, or whatever, and through those very means found nothing but trouble and heartache. Or who have looked to education and a good job and there not found the satisfaction and fulfilment they had sought, but the very opposite. So already, there is a lesson for us.
But the remarkable thing in this whole reading, and which we need to keep in mind, is that the Lord still gave them a sign. He continued to remind Ahaz and his people that the Lord was still present and active in life, for the good for his people and the destruction of those who chose to ignore him and go against what he has to say to them.
Now the sign he gave was not some big spectacular stars flashing in the sky: a message in neon lights for all see: But a woman; a virgin, giving birth to a child and naming him Immanuel. That was to be the sign that the Lord was still with them despite the fact they were determined to go their own way. This sign was to show throughout history, that God was more anxious to help, than Ahaz and we also are of being helped. It was to remind them and us again and again that there is another way out of the predicament that we have gotten ourselves into. Now sure this sign didn’t mean that everything was going to go Ahaz’s way, or ours. But it was a sign and a promise that God was with them and had not forgotten them. That he had not turned his back on them, but they on him.
Now today in a different context we have the same sign before us here. Despite our unwillingness to heed God’s active and helping presence, he still reminds us over and over again, every year, that he is with us. This Christmas that same sign is held up for all to see. That same assurance of God’s love, power and trustworthiness is there for us. The same guarantee that victory is there for us over our enemies: particularly that of sin, death and the power of the devil; which can destroy our spiritual lives. The birth of the baby Jesus to the virgin, Mary is that wonderful sign and promise that all of this is there for each and every one of us. But it is more than simply a historical sign. Immanuel – God with us – is both his name and his being for us even today.
So now, as we face our troubles and hardships of life, we are assured that there is another presence here with us that makes all the difference. So instead of merely relying on our own strength and wisdom, we have another great power to assist us. Now instead of turning to money and other sources of power to come to our aid, we now know that there is One that we can truly rely on. Yes, we need to seek to do the best we can in any given situation, because we now know and trust that the Lord is with us always. But we also now know that he is there with us even in the rough and tough of our life, seeking to use it all for good and positive purposes. Jesus death on the cross clearly indicates that God is right there with us in the very depths of life to bring about good for his people. That surely is a tremendous comfort and help to us; particularly in those times when we find it hard to see where there can be anything good.
Now sure, from time to time that will also mean that we will be reminded and convicted of our sin and the need for us to change and mend our lives, and to do things differently than what we see in the world around us. But once again, it will still be there for our benefit and for the good of the people around us. It is a necessary part of our life that we be reprimanded, corrected and redirected because many times our ways are far from good and honourable.
So this Christmas again, there is that sign given to us that God is with us. Whether we want him to be a part of our personal Christmas or not, Jesus will still be there. Whether we want this Christmas and the coming year to be different or not, God Almighty himself will still be there and at work in our world. To ignore him and struggle on under our own strength, is to do so to our own detriment. However to place our faith and hope in him, and to trust in him, is to open up a whole new perspective to life: one that gives meaning, purpose and hope for us and our future: one that does give true joy, peace and goodwill to this festive season and the years beyond. It is all there for you and me. It is all there in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. He is the sign that we all need in order to go forward and face the future confidently. So look to him; trust him; and allow him full reign this coming week and beyond. And a very blessed Christmas to you all in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
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