Full Sermon "Comfort, Comfort Ye My People" based on Isaiah 40:1-2

Let us pray: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I. Lost cause? When was the last time you felt this way? I am deader than a doornail. I am a lost cause. I am hopeless. I took my best swings, but mighty Casey has struck out!

II. Israel and Psalm 137:1. The people of Israel were feeling that same way during the dark days of their exile in Babylon. Psalm 137:1 tells us, “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.”

III. Isaiah 40:1-2 and comfort. The words of Isaiah 40:1-2 were intended to speak to the people of Israel who were thinking of themselves as a lost cause. The prophet Isaiah knew that in the future the people of Israel would feel like a lost cause and want to throw in the towel. So Isaiah pointed the people to comforting words from the Lord.

IV. Comforting image in Isaiah 40:11. Repeating words in the Old Testament was a way to show something important was about to be written. Isaiah 40:1 begins, “Comfort, comfort.” Following those words we read, “Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God.” God knows when to frighten people with the words of His law, but He also knows when to speak words of Gospel comfort to people. Isaiah 40:11 included a comforting image of God’s compassion: “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms.” The idea of a shepherd was important, because the people of Israel in exile and their ancestors were like sheep.

V. Sheep are not intimidating animals. In pro football you hear about the Minnesota Vikings, the Denver Broncos, and the Chicago Bears. I do not think you will hear of any pro football team in the future ever being given a name like the Louisville Lambs or the San Antonio Sheep are not fierce animals that strike fear into the hearts of those around them.

VI. Sheep are dumb, dirty, and defenseless. They wander away from the other sheep at times and get hopelessly lost. They need a shepherd to go out and find them.

Sheep are dirty, Sheep are dirty. They get dirt and mud on their wool.

Sheep are defenseless. They do not have claws or fierce teeth to defend against predators. Wolves and coyotes can easily take care of a sheep.

VII. The people of Israel had been like sheep. In 587 B.C. the Lord allowed the army of Babylon to conquer Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah.

The people of Israel had been dumb. In Isaiah 1:3 God told them, “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

The people of Israel had been dirty. Isaiah 64:6 stated, “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”

The people of Israel had been defenseless. In Isaiah 1:5-6 God warned them, “Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds.”

Are we anything like the people of Israel and sheep? Isaiah 53:6 is our confession, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.”

VIII. Lost causes and the chore of Advent and Christmas. You and I are, on our own, lost causes. We do not love God above all else. We do not love those around us as much as we love ourselves. Mighty Casey has struck out!

The Advent season leading up to Christmas can be more of a chore and less of a holy season for some people. There are so many things to do. Decorations to put up. Meals to prepare. Family gatherings to attend. School activities to go to. Church services to go to. Gifts to buy.

IX. What is a Shepherd supposed to do for all of the sheep who are running around without a shepherd? He becomes a lamb. Not an ordinary lamb though. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). “His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

X. No ordinary baby. This was no ordinary baby. Angels proclaimed Him. Shepherds adored Him. Mary pondered these things in her heart. King Herod wanted to kill Him.

XI. Isaiah 53:7 and Jesus. Isaiah 53:7 predicted His suffering, “Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” This lamb was Jesus. The same Jesus who was whipped and mocked. The same Jesus who was crowned with a crown of thorns. The same Jesus who was nailed to a wooden cross. The same Jesus who suffered and died, not for anything He had done wrong, but for all the things we have done wrong.

XII. Read Isaiah 40:8 and comment. Isaiah 40:8 reminds us, “The word of our God will stand forever.” God’s Word stands when the exiles in Babylon return home to Jerusalem. God’s Word stands when the baby and Mary and Joseph return to Nazareth after a detour to Egypt. God’s Word stands when Jesus comes out of the tomb alive and never to die again.

XIII. Conclusion. “Comfort, comfort my people.” That is what the Good Shepherd does. When we are lost and feeling hopeless, the Good Shepherd does not stop until He finds us and brings us back. When we are confused by the voices of false teachers, the Good Shepherd calls us by name and we follow Him. When we are feeling dirty because of our sins and wrongs, He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gathers us in His arms and treats us gently and lovingly. Dumb, dirty, and defenseless. Just like sheep. There is one more word that describes us. Delivered. We are delivered from all of sins and wrongs by the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who laid down His life for us and took His life back up again on the third day. Jesus delivers to us double the comfort. The comforting words of Isaiah 40:1-2 are for each one of us tonight. Thanks to the saving work of Jesus we are comforted. Our warfare is over. Our iniquity is pardoned. We have received from the Lord double the comfort for all our sins and wrongs. We are delivered. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, will continue to deliver the comfort we need until we dwell with Him in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.