Scripture Reading(s)
Isaiah 2:1-4
This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
John 12:44-50
44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
Reflection(s)
The prophet Isaiah spoke of a time when peace would rule the land. The swords would be beaten into plow shares. The spears into pruning hooks. By most accounts this is the same message that Jesus preached when He came.
In John He is quoted saying,
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
Need, Jesus’ message is one of joy. Unfortunately, the time of swords being beaten into plowshares has not yet arrived. Our world is filled with violence and calamity. When exactly are we going to see the prophecy of Isaiah finalized?
We will see this message accomplished when Jesus returns for the final judgement.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
We are followers of Jesus who we know to be the savior yet we wait in hope for the day that His promises are fulfilled. While we wait we must be than change that Jesus preached about. We must be the peace and the kindness that Jesus demonstrated.
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