Sermon, Epiphany +5 (C)

 Epiphany 5 – for 06 feb

Our society has its GREATS – people that seem to be larger than life, whose work and witness is powerfully influential, whose inspiration continues to be meaningful and foundational in ways that transcend generations.

King Uzziah was one of the Greats of the society to whom Isaiah is speaking today.

So to start off a prophecy with “In the year that King Uzziah Died” – that brought a lot of emotion to the context for Isaiah.

It was the end of a lengthy reign by a powerful ruler who was respected by equals and feared by enemies. This meant uncertainty for the people.

And it was this year when the prophet saw the Lord.

THE Lord.

Whose majesty exceeded that of even King Uzziah.

For the Lord had a reach that extended beyond the kingdoms of the earth, with majesty and authority greater than anything in the earthly realm.

For this is the Lord, the Holy one. Around whom angels cry out, and rejoice! To every place and every time, even those unimagined and unimaginable!

Holy, holy, holy, indeed.

It’s no wonder, then, that Isaiah’s response is what it is.

“I’m not worthy!”

Because in the earthly contexts of hierarchical structures and systems, worthiness seems to be assigned. It is classified, it is categorised, it is catalogued.

It’s why we have GREATS… those who seem to be a little bit more worthy than the rest of us.

Like King Uzziah was.

And yet: the holy of holies, the Lord God of hosts, the divine beyond words and description: the Lord God Almighty says:

Whatever sins you have, you’re forgiven.

Whatever guilt you are carrying, you’re to release.

Whatever earthly restrictions you or others have put upon you, you are set free.

It’s an amazing gift that Isaiah receives, a delight of forgiveness of sins, and promise of goodness to come, of renewed possibility.

And… with great gift comes great opportunity.

Because the passage doesn’t stop with that – it is not the “you, Great Isaiah, are forgiven, and the rest of the people can just fend for themselves!”

Instead, Isaiah is called to service. To proclaim this good news to the world. To all people who would hear it, for every time they would hear it.

Part of what sets Isaiah apart is that he recognises this as a faith-based opportunity and responsibility.

He has heard the truth from God, and he has heard the invitation from God.

God is identifying that there are others out there who have not heard or believed the good news – and so he asks Isaiah to continue the message.

And the greatness comes from Isaiah’s actions:

Here I am, send me.

Send me to the folks who live in fear and doubt, and I will tell them of your holiness.

Send me to the people who are trapped in shame and guilt, and I will share your assurance of forgiveness.

Send me to the people who are depressed, and I will proclaim your good news.

Send me to the folks who need to hear this today – and tomorrow, and the day after that: for who doesn’t need to hear good news every day – and I will go for you to speak truth and light to the darkness of their worlds.

Here I am; send me.

It’s a powerful time and teaching for us, as we witness Isaiah’s leadership:

he knows his place as a servant of God; it’s not about him.

he is willing to confess his sins; and receive the benefit as God blots them out, sopping them up as it were with divine grace.

He is confident in his faith that he can do God’s work, because of the blessings and graces that God has given him.

Isaiah doesn’t presume to be perfect, he knows it’s not going to be an easy ministry, but he goes forward:

In the name of God.

Holy, holy, holy, indeed.

This is a thread that stays with us throughout today’s sacred texts, and into today. For: life can be a sacred text: when we live into it.

Holiness is here: it’s in the world, and it’s being lavished on all of us.

Society’s GREATS and society’s not-so-greats – and everything in between.

If we had to earn the gifts of God, we never could.

But that’s part of the glory of God – the giving of gift without expectation of return;

And also the invitation to give: without expectation of return.

Our psalmist praises God’s engagement with all people in society, that all people have the option to serve God, and the psalmist declares a choice to continue praising. Giving thanks with a whole heart, acknowledging love and faithfulness, responding to the invitation of service.

Holy times; holy words.

We see Jesus’ interaction with Peter articulate a change from “I’m sinful” and “stay away from me” to a new understanding of worthiness, of welcome, of potential. Peter had focused on sin – which is a turning away from what is holy. And in doing this, he was confessing his sin – and we know what God does with sin. This is why confession is a part of our daily prayers, individually and corporately. We confess when we have wronged God, others, and ourselves. And that is the power of confession – the desire to move beyond the trappings of our past and intentionally be better going into the future.

And Jesus – without saying a word – brings not judgement or condemnation; but comfort and possibility. “Do not be afraid” – and “Follow me” – both powerful invitations to new and renewed ways of life and love in the spiritual and physical realities.

The epistle today reminds the church of the ongoing opportunity for ministry: that forgiveness of sins leads to a newness of life – apologies aren’t any good without changed behaviour, after all. And faithful community living is not about receiving benefits for personal use, but for discerning and sharing gifts so that all may be encouraged and built up in the stature of God.

And that sacred texts are not given as a one-time offering for a limited audience, but a holy comfort and possibility to all the people at all times.

And… the sacred text of our life: how are we living the good news of forgiveness of sins? How does our life and witness proclaim the Good news of God? How are our words and thoughts and deeds demonstrating that God has made us worthy to be in the presence of the divine?

How are we living life as a sacred text for the world to read?

There is work to be done:

Healing of wounds

Re-engagement of community

Sharing of Good news.

And it starts with the re-framing of “worthiness”

For in all of today’s readings, there was no shocking external change:

Isaiah was still Isaiah, Peter was still Peter, etc.

Nothing was different for them, but everything was different. For they understood that worthiness comes from God.

Their faith had grown – from the forgiveness of sins, and from responding to the call to follow God.

Their faith grew –

And grew and grew.

And they knew that their imperfect selves was okay to be considered worthy.

Worthy by God.

Worthy by others.

Worthy in our mistakes; worthy in our times of ‘getting it right’

Worthy in our imperfection.

Worthy by God.

And it’s not dependent on the GREATS of the world:

it is dependent on the ordinary people of great faith, the whole people of God.

In other words, it is dependent on us.

So let’s embrace the holiness that is offered;

Renew our knowledge of God’s forgiveness.

Rekindle our passion for service.

Let’s celebrate the holy in the world, responding to God’s invitation to follow with an enthusiastic:

Here I am – send me.