Old Testament: Isaiah 40:21-31 (Epiphany 5: Series B)

Chapter 40 of Isaiah contains great words of comfort. In its context, these verses are so needed for God’s people because it directly follows the prediction of disaster in 39:5-7. Previously, Isaiah had foretold the coming Babylonian exile. Now, eighth century Isaiah addresses sixth century, post exilic Israel.

The main point in this portion of Isaiah has to do with God’s people being liberated from Babylon. So, at the beginning of our text, it is laid out quite simply. No rulers of any nations are anything compared to the Lord (Job 12:21; Psalm 107:40). Kingdoms and rulers will pass away, but the Lord who is above all things rules and reigns forever. The only one you can depend on is the Lord, and salvation is found in Him alone. Verse 25 invites us to compare the things we trust in from the world to our God. When we compare these false “gods” to the Lord, we see that the Lord is different and set apart from everyone and everything else. In verse 27, the conclusion of these comparisons is brought home with a comfort for God’s people. In exile the people say the Lord has forgotten them or disregarded them, but even the youths will see life and new days (verses 30-31). They will see a life which remains vibrant and move forward into God’s rule and reign, which is seen clearest in the life, living, and mission of His Messiah (Philippians 2:16; Hebrews 12:1-4).

The Gospel preach-ability in this text comes directly and unashamedly from emphasizing the comfort the Lord gives to His weary people. It is something we see fulfilled very clearly in our appointed Gospel lesson for the day from Mark 1:29-39. Jesus immediately seeks out those in need of healing and comfort, and He is compassionate and comforting to all who are brought to Him. He is the very incarnation of the comfort Isaiah speaks of. He is the Word of God shining in a weary and dark world. If verse 22 speaks of how God dwells everywhere, then the Gospel lesson for the day shows that same God chose to dwell somewhere very specific so we might encounter His saving work, a work which was done in an extremely specific place in time and history. It is what was done on a single cross and in an empty tomb so that all death everywhere and all sin and separation everywhere might be dealt with on account of Christ alone.

Jesus immediately seeks out those in need of healing and comfort, and He is compassionate and comforting to all who are brought to Him.

In order to emphasize this Gospel proclamation, you can utilize a comparison between Jesus as God’s comfort incarnate with any false “gods” or things we tend to give too much weight and rule over our lives. This is what Isaiah does as he gives us comfort’s source by comparing nations (40:12-17), idols (40:18-20), rulers (40:21-24), and stars (40:25-26) with our incomparable God (40:12-26). So, we can compare our modern-day equivalents with our incomparable Savior, Jesus Christ. David Zahl, in his book Seculosity,” says the new idols and religion today that hold sway over people are our careers, technologies, food, parenting, politics, and romance. Can any of these things compare with the comfort we receive in Jesus? Never, not at all, and in no way. Jesus, by grace, grants a better comfort and a surer hope for us in His life, ministry, death, resurrection, and continued presence with and in the Church through the Holy Spirit, the comforter (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; Acts 9:31; Philippians 2:1).

Naturally, because the text compares and contrasts the false things of the world with our incomparable God, we will use the Compare and Contrast Structure:

“This structure systematically explores relevant similarities and/or differences between two topics in order to accomplish a purpose for the hearer. In this sermon, the purpose of comparing/contrasting is crucial. The sermon, thus, does more than simply inform hearers of similarities and/or differences. It uses that information for a purpose (absolution), and that purpose often makes a difference in their lives.

In presenting this information to the hearers, the preacher has a choice of two approaches. He can work whole-to-whole (in other words, offering all of the individual items of one topic before proceeding to a listing of the individual items of another topic: A1, A2, A3, and B1, B2, B3). Or the preacher can work part-to-part (in other words, offering one item from each topic and then proceeding to the next item: A1/B1, A2/B2, A3/B3). In part to part, a larger theme will be present for the hearers that slowly unfolds through the comparison.”[1]

Pick the approach which helps you to rightly divide Law and Gospel for your sermon as you center it on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ for the blessing of your hearers’ faith and/or life.

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Additional Resources:

Craft of Preaching-Check out out 1517’s resources on Isaiah 40:21-31.

Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching Isaiah 40:21-31.

Text Week-A treasury of resources from various traditions to help you preach Isaiah 40:21-31

Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!

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[1] https://concordiatheology.org/sermon-structs/thematic/comparisoncontrast/