Greetings in the name of Christ, our Savior. I encourage you to attend church tomorrow to receive the gifts He gives there. February 9 is the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. Scripture texts assigned to the day are Psalm 138; Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 14 12b-20; and Luke 5:1-11.
The Old Testament lesson and the gospel lesson both speak to the awesome absolute, infinite, holiness of God and Jesus. Such holiness exposes the profane earthly ways of us sinners. Both lessons also include a surprise, as God and Jesus choose sinful men to proclaim the Word of God. Through the saving work of Jesus, God the Father forgives and welcomes sinners. Don’t run to hide from Him, but run to Him that you may be saved from condemnation and separation.
The opening verses of the 6th Chapter of Isaiah’s prophecy describe the prophet’s Call to serve God. In the temple, Isaiah sees God. It is unclear if this is a ‘vision’, or an actual sighting of God extending out from the Most holy place of the temple, and surrounded by angels. In either case, Isaiah has reason to cry out, ‘Woe!’, an expression of great distress, usually indicating fear of approaching death or destruction. (Note that Chapter 5, preceding this reading, includes six woes and three judgments.) In the presence of holy God, Isaiah is made keenly aware of his sinful self and his sinful context—he is a man of unclean lips living among people with unclean lips. In the days of Moses, God has warned that no one sees Him and lives. Isaiah trembles as he considers his ‘lost’ condition. But God in his mercy sends an angel to take a burning coal from the incense censer on the altar, and to touch the coal to Isaiah’s lips, an act of purification. In God’s eyes, Isaiah has had his guilt taken away and his sin atoned for. God commissions Isaiah to speak His words of warning and words of comfort to the people. In His word, God offers life and salvation. It is wise to listen to Him.
The Gospel reading describes a similar event. Jesus is teaching God’s word to the crowds. He confirms the authority of His teaching, by performing a miracle. He leads Peter and his partners to catch a large number of fish despite what would normally be a near impossible situation. Jesus has once again demonstrated His divine power. Peter responds like the prophet Isaiah, crying out, confessing his sinful condition, and fearing that Jesus’ divine holiness will destroy him. Instead, Jesus uses the surprising catch of fish as a metaphor for Peter’s (and the other apostles’) future vocation as fishers of men. Jesus uses sinful spokesmen to speak His word that the Church may increase. We are not apostles, but we Christians each have opportunity to bear witness to Jesus, and to tell other people about the life and salvation He has made available. As you speak the word of God to them, the Holy Spirit will use it to accomplish His purposes.
The epistle lesson is a portion of the 15th Chapter of St. Paul’s first letter to the congregation in Corinth (southern Greece). Paul addresses questions about spiritual gifts, especially the role of speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues was considered by many to indicate a ‘super Christian’, that is someone especially spiritual. Paul corrects that thinking by pointing out the far greater importance of being able to articulate the gospel in a way people can understand. Instead of envying those who speak in tongues, use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given you to proclaim the gospel, and to instruct and encourage others in their Christian walk.
Hymns chosen for the day are #507 Holy, Holy, Holy; #856 O Christ Who Called the Twelve; #621 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence; and #830 Spread the Reign of God the Lord.
COLLECT: Gracious Father God keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith, so that relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
