Daily Readings - Wed Dec 16 2020
Isaiah
6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.8Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.21Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.22Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.25In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Luke
19And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?20When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?21And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.22Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.23And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful reminders of God’s sovereignty and the call to trust in His plan. The first reading from Isaiah proclaims God’s uniqueness as the Creator of all things, who forms light and darkness, peace and woe. Isaiah emphasizes that God did not create the world in vain but for a purpose, and He alone is the just Savior. The prophet calls all ends of the earth to turn to God, promising salvation and justice for those who do so. This passage, written during the Babylonian exile, reassures the people of Israel that despite their current suffering, God remains in control and will fulfill His promises.
The Gospel reading from Luke presents a moment of doubt and questioning. John the Baptist, though a man of great faith, sends his disciples to Jesus with the question, “Are you he who is to come, or should we wait for another?” Jesus responds not with words of reassurance but with deeds. He heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, and preaches the Good News to the poor. By doing so, Jesus points to the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies and confirms His identity as the Messiah. His final words, “Blessed is anyone who has not taken offense at me,” invite us to embrace faith even when doubts arise.
These readings remind us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God’s plan, even when the path is unclear. Like John’s disciples, we may sometimes question whether God is truly at work in our lives or in the world. Yet, Jesus calls us to look at the signs of His presence—the healing, the hope, and the love that surround us—and to trust in His goodness. In our daily lives, let us seek to recognize God’s hand at work, even in the midst of challenges, and to place our faith in Him, knowing that He is our just and merciful Savior.