Isaiah Archives - St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Maple Glen

Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14

The prophet Isaiah describes a day when the Lord God will redeem his people and restore them to the fullness of life. The great feast on the mountain (Jersusalem) is a vivid picture of this time when death and sorrow are no more. Isaiah was not likely thinking of a “heavenly banquet” or dwelling – but a future time when an exiled Israel would be restored to security and abundance by God’s mighty hand.

The 23rd Psalm, attributed to David, celebrates the loving care of God in a very personal way. This and other similar Psalms almost startle us with the intimacy of God’s awareness and involvement in our personal lives.

Matthew 22:1-14 contains two parables of Jesus. In the first parable he continues to explain and defend his ministry of gathering “bad” people from the margins of Jewish life into God’s banquet hall, while at the same time making the scandalous suggestion that his opponents are making light of God’s invitation that they claim to honor. The second parable points out that regardless of circumstances, those invited to God’s party must “change clothes” if they want to stay and enjoy the feast!

Speaking to the Philippians, Paul describes the kind of life that belongs to those who know the Lord as their Shepherd. Giving thanks and trusting God in everything, they know a new kind of peace and are focused on what is good, excellent, and worthy of praise.

Comment: We Christians understand the great feast of God, described by Isaiah, in light of Jesus who came to be himself the bread and wine at the feast. Like David’s psalm, we celebrate the Lord who nourishes our lives in every necessary way, even in times of darkness and death. But this amazing grace does not replace Jesus’ call upon me to repent – to change “clothes” to wear a new mindset that is given me by Christ. To be aware of God’s great invitation and loving call upon me immediately leads me to put on the “wedding garment” of a changed life that is lived for Christ and not for me!

Isaiah 5:1-7
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21: 33-46

The prophet Isaiah paints the scene of a vineyard that is lovingly established by its owner. It is clear that the vineyard is the people of Israel who were set free from captivity and established by the hand of the Lord. But the “produce” of Israel has become cries and bloodshed rather than the mercy and justice desired by the Lord. This sort of rebellious vineyard must be “undone.”

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds his opponents of the vineyard image found in Isaiah. He implies that they, like their ancestors in Isaiah’s time, have forfeited their trust as keepers of the vineyard and deserved to be replaced if they don’t change their ways.

Paul tells the Christians of Philippi of his credentials as a former “keeper of the vineyard” – and how he had to “junk” his credentials (count them as garbage to be tossed out!) that he might experience the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as his Lord, who calls him and makes Paul His own.

Comment: Have we come to the realization, trust, and faith that Christ Jesus has “made us his own”? This means I am be a laborer with Christ in the “vineyard” where God has placed me – my home, my church, my community. So I have to ask myself what the Lord wants me to do to honor His intentions, and consider what “fruit” I am offering to God. It’s not a simple matter or my doing what “I” think is good and “I” think will please and honor the Lord. I need to keep my ears and heart tuned to the words and heart of Christ, so that my labor with and for others is for Jesus, and not actually serving my own good intentions. I find it a daily struggle to keep my focus on the Lord!