Friday, December 16, 2016
THE GOSPEL--OUR OASIS ON THE ROAD TO HEAVEN (5)
Isaiah 35:8-9 "A highway shall be there, and a road. And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there…."
THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS
As here, the prophet Isaiah likes to use the illustration of believers journeying on the road to heaven. He also uses these familiar words: "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the glory of the LORD shall be revealed…" (Isaiah 40:3ff).
In Advent we hear the Lord's forerunner, John the Baptist, quote those very words, adding: "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Those who repent of sin and believe in the forgiveness that Jesus gives live and rest in peace, and finally arrive safely at their heavenly destination.
All this brings to mind John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," where the reader follows along with Mr. Christian on his journey to heaven. Along the way many temptations (such as Mr. Obstinate, Mr. Pliable, Mr. Worldly Wiseman) and false friends (such as Mr. Hypocrisy, Mr. Mistrust, Mr. Formalist) are encountered to coax the traveler to take the broad, easy, and thus perilous road that leads only to destruction.
Fellow travelers along the pilgrim way-- in the words of the hymnwriter:
Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding! "Christ is near," we hear it say.
"Cast away the works of darkness, All you children of the day!"
See, the Lamb, so long expected, Comes with pardon down from heav'n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow, One and all, to be forgiv'n.
(Lutheran Service Book, 345:1, 3)
