“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat…” Isaiah 11:6. Our world has become more globalized and yet more tribalized at the same time. We are more connected and growing more dependent on each other and yet we are becoming increasingly more individualized and alone. We are more connected than we have ever been and yet more at odds with each other. But there is another way.
In a world where we are more connected than ever, we fail to understand where to find real community and establish authentic relationships. In a fractured world system that fails to give everyone life and equity, we need a remnant of people led by Jesus to show the way.
Judah was in an abysmal state during the times of Isaiah’s prophesy. Divided from Israel and oppressed by surrounding empires like Assyria there was political turmoil, injustice to the poor, widows
It wasn’t the acts of few individuals. It was a system of oppression. You might feel like that about your life. You feel like the world you live in is like Judah. There is nothing but division and corruption. In system like that people need to see something more. And there is more.
When all hope is lost that’s when hope grows large.
The message of Isaiah never ceases to astonish at the newness of God and never fails to summon God’s people to hope and expectation in the face of any discouraging circumstances.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious 12 He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.
Isaiah 10:11,12 (NIV)
In a divided kingdom, Jesus, “stands as a banner for the peoples and nations will rally to him.”
Jesus will gather his people from the the corners of our country and the far corners of this earth. His territory has no boundaries.
From the margins we will come together to reclaim his glory for the good of mankind. It’s time to rally to Jesus.
All people from all nations, rally to Jesus. This is kingdom globalization.
Jesus is international.
Isaiah’s vision is the world becoming one under Jesus with the One God maker of heaven and earth. Rally to him!
This is how the church will rally! We will raise the banner of Jesus Christ for the scattered and the lost.
Please subscribe, share, and leave a comment below! Thanks for visiting!
Jovan preaches for the Littleton Church of Christ near Denver, Colorado. Visit here to listen to sermons preached at the Littleton Church.