Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Dear Saints,
There’s a reason it’s called “the dead of winter.” Everything looks dead. It’s grey. It’s cold. It’s gloomy. It’s … well … the dead of winter. That’s probably why many people head south for a while – to see some life, bright flowers, warm sun – even in the dead of winter. It’s a reminder of joyful new life to come.
Isaiah’s ministry took place in a kind of “dead of winter” – among people whose lives were mired helplessly in the darkness of their own sin. Yet God still offers His people a glimpse of future joy promising, “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.” (Isaiah 35:1) Isaiah proclaims a day will come when blind eyes and unhearing ears will be opened, crippled legs will run and jump like deer, and unspeaking tongues will rejoice! (Isaiah 35:5-6)
Eight centuries later, John the Baptist was stuck in the gloom of a Roman prison. In despair, he sent his disciples to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3) Jesus’ response? “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” (Matthew 11:4) He essentially says, “Remember Isaiah’s words about the Messiah and what He will do? Well, rejoice! Though it might look like the dead of winter, it’s not! Because that’s exactly what I’ve done and who I am!”
We sit in the time between Jesus’ first coming and His promised return. But it can often feel a lot like the “dead of winter” while we toil away at life in a sin-filled world. However, we can look joyfully to the future God promises, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10) Looking joyfully at the new life God promises, we know the dead of winter will end.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim