"The Holy Way"
a condensed version of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk, Illinois.

PODCAST of "The Holy Way"

This Morning's Scripture reading is:
Isaiah 35:1-10

We’ve been experiencing similar themes during this advent season:

And today we’re continuing with

Let me repeat those last two – they seem to stand out:

Here we go – right in the middle of a Bible reading filled with more hope, strength, refreshment and healing are some fear-filled, mean words.

"Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense."

This isn’t the only place in the Bible where God comes with anger and judgment

None of the verses about God’s anger and judgment are particularly comforting – but I have to try to understand them from the perspective of someone who has been thrown from their home or their land. I have to try to understand it from the perspective of someone who has been exploited, abused and injured. It doesn’t make me feel comforted, but I can understand the desire for someone to want not only relief from their situation, but also punishment for the ones who have been the source of the theft, abuse and persecution. It’s also possible to understand God coming with a vengeance and terrible recompense from a perspective that God is coming to set things right – to bring healing and restoration to all who are in a crisis. So maybe this time it isn’t anger and judgment – but let’s remember – God’s anger and judgment are present in the Bible.

But then there’s this other verse:

"The unclean shall not travel on it."

This one really bothers me.

Why, with all this talk about good news for a people looking forward to restoration, is there talk of someone being left out – rejected from the good stuff?

This is not the only verse about the rejection of the "unclean."

When we look at this passage during Advent – we’re supposed to be reminded of Jesus. We’re supposed to think of the celebration of the Christ child and the refreshment, reconciliation and rejuvenation Jesus brings to the world.

And I think that Jesus comes with a different agenda – not one of anger and rejection, but of reconciliation and acceptance:

"God will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense."

"The unclean shall not travel on it."

Jesus challenged the whole idea of what was clean and unclean. It’s as if he said that our own greedy, selfish ugliness is what is really unclean. And if I think of that kind of upside-down kind of logic of Jesus and try to understand the verse that bothers me,

"When you get on the road – there’s no possibility of all the nastiness. It will be gone from you – you will be clean."

Rejection of some while others look forward in hope still gives me a sick feeling in my stomach.

But restoration from within as you’re heading down God’s road – I like that.

So how can all of this help us this Advent season as we’re continuing to get ready?

And we can share it with a neighbor too!

And we can offer comfort and compassion to those who are suffering

And we can listen for what God is calling us to do to live our lives for God’s justice.

And we can trust that there’s no falling of or getting kicked off the Holy way.

Close with prayer

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