4th Tuesday of Advent (December 23). Holy, Redeemed

Prepare to Listen.  They shall be called, “The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD,”
 
Prayerfully Read Isaiah 62:10-12 (or vv. 1-12)
10Go through, go through the gates;
    prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
    clear it of stones;
    lift up an ensign over the peoples.
11The LORD has proclaimed
    to the end of the earth:
Say to daughter Zion,
    “Look, your savior comes;
his reward is with him
    and his recompense before him.”
12They shall be called, “The Holy People,
    The Redeemed of the LORD,”
and you shall be called, “Sought Out,
    A City Not Forsaken.”
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
Usually we focus on preparing the way for Jesus.  Here, Isaiah urges us to “prepare the way for the people.”  Why do you think this is needed?​
 
There are five commands in v. 10 (two repeated), which means there’s work for God’s people.  The chapter, however, begins with what the LORD will do in the future, he’ll establish Jerusalem and make it “renowned throughout the earth” (v. 7).  The LORD gives the future, but Israel must work in the present.  Yes, salvation is all of God, says the prophet.  However, Israel has work to do.  This is true of the Church too, as Paul taught—we’re saved by grace not by our works, but we must also work out our own salvation.[1]  God acts; so too must we.
 
Return from exile was of God, but also of the people.  They must prepare the way by obeying those 5 commands in v. 10.  The ensign over them claims their new identity: “They shall be called, The Holy People, and The Redeemed of the LORD.”  We too can claim these names because of Jesus.  Holy means being single-minded in our commitment to the Lord because we belong to the Holy One.  In other words, we live in ways that reflect the Holy God to the world.  Redeemed of the LORD tells the world that we have been bought, taken out of bondage, renewed, changed and now belong to God not ourselves.  This salvation name is God’s reward and recompense for God’s people.  This is how Jesus has changed everything for us.
 
Holding up a sign with Holy People, Redeemed of the LORD, isn’t helpful.  People will only know this if our lives show it.  How can you begin to live today so that others will say of you that you’re holy and redeemed?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord, thank you for acting on my behalf and redeeming me.  Help me live so that world sees that I belong wholly to you.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Live holy, a life wholly committed to the Lord.
[1] Ephesians 2:8-9 and Philippians 2:12.