Isaiah 42:1-9 (NRSV)
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Chapter 42Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. Verse 2He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; Verse 3a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. Verse 4He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
Verse 5Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: Verse 6I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, Verse 7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. Verse 8I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. Verse 9See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
Devotion
Epiphany is the culmination of our Advent anticipation and Christmas celebration. From the growing light of the Advent wreath, the Christ candle has burned through twelve days marking the Nativity. Now we move from anticipation and celebration to revelation: from a flickering flame to a star-studded spotlight.
Epiphany is a series of “A-ha!” moments. The light bulb clicks on full-blast; our blind eyes are opened, as the darkness of our dungeon existence lifts. We recognize Jesus, child of Mary, as God’s Chosen One, in whom God delights. A-ha! In Jesus’ name and by the Spirit’s power, something new is springing forth! God is doing something new in this Anointed One. And God is telling us all about it!
A woman comes to you seeking compassionate counsel; her family is being crushed by domestic abuse. An engaged couple just out of high school announces that they are already expecting their first child; they are nearly faint with the news. How will God work through you to shine the light of the nations on them today?
Prayer
O Lord our God, who stretched out the heavens and spread out the earth, who created all that comes from it and who breathes life into all that walk upon it, breathe your Spirit on us. Embolden us to follow Christ’s light in bringing forth justice to all who are oppressed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.