In the year that King Uzziah died… So Isaiah began to recount his famous encounter with God. Why? For sure, he is providing context for his story. People would often mark time by the reign of royals. But perhaps he is giving a political and theological observation. The government was in crisis.
Until recently, Americans might not immediately recognize the frightening fragility of a society during a change of leadership. We have enjoyed an organized and relatively safe nation. In his fantastic inauguration speech highlighting the peaceful transfer of power, Reagan said, “In the eyes of many in the world, this every four-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.” When a leader steps down across the globe, and often throughout history, the top dogs fight, and the rest of the minions are also dragged in. Law and order momentarily break down. The instability of the future shakes everyday life. Just talk to my friend, Israelson Isidor, who is in Haiti.
Perhaps that’s why Isaiah is in the temple in a time of crisis. Amid the chaos, he turns his face toward the one true and stable king, YHWH. There, he had an encounter that surprised even him. “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” God does not remain far away, too busy or great, for human affairs. The angels said as much, “holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
It would be enough for Isaiah to be reminded who is in charge of all things, let alone human governments. Indeed, it is comforting to know that ultimately, our destiny and condition are not in the hands of Kings and just pawns in kingdoms. Our lives are in the hands of the Almighty.
But who are we to God? Everyone believes in some god that runs the universe. But what does God think of me? Isaiah wasn’t comforted but actually frightened before this holy king. He felt utterly unprepared to be standing before God. “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips!” Sure, God rules all things, but I am his enemy!
As He was shivering in fear, an angel, a messenger, flew to him with a hot coal from the altar—a coal the angel couldn’t even touch but used tongs to handle. When the coal touched his sinful, mortal lips, the angel said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
Not only could Isaiah be confident that God was still king, but he also learned that that King was for him: a sinner, fool, peon, weak, and scared. The true King is not only still in charge, but he is forgiving, loving, and caring. Isaiah left unafraid of the world.
Good for Isaiah. What about you? As you live in fear of another transfer of power, of the shakiness of America, have you met the King in his temple? Have you experienced that God is not only in charge but is for you?
There has been a transfer of power in the heavenly places. As Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me!” His name is above all names.
More wondrously than God sitting in the temple before Isaiah, God has chosen to sit in a poor mother’s lap on Christmas. In the flesh, God truly became with us, in Jesus. In Isaiah 6, we see God as merciful, but in His Son, He is mercy incarnate. On a cross, He is crowned and exalted for your benefit. The angel told Isaiah that his sin had been atoned for. And so has yours. In Jesus who exchanged his life for yours!
Jesus reigns, and He reigns for you. Every Sunday, when you are scared and worried, God stands in his temple, even a pole barn in the country, or a run-down ole church in Chicago. When you are saying, “Woe is me,” His angel, messenger, and pastor doesn’t grab a hot coal, but bread and wine, body and blood, of the lamb who takes away the sin of the world. He touches your lips; the one true King forgives you. You are in His kingdom. You are secure in His governance and grace. Go in peace
