God Comforts His People (Isaiah 40:1-2)
Good Friday Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
15 April 2022
Life can be hard. People everywhere needcomforting. Israel, threatened by Assyria andBabylon needed comforting. The prophetIsaiah was raised up by God to speakcomfort to Israel saying, “Comfort, yes,comfort my people!” God is a God of allcomfort.
In his prophecy Isaiah saw the glory of JesusChrist and spoke of him (John 12:41). Jesuswas sent to comfort his people.
Consider God's comfort of Israel under fourheadings: Covenant, Chastisement, Calvaryand Comfort.
Covenant
The Lord entered into a covenant with Israel.He called them his people. He wascommitted to them. They were a specialpeople distinct from other nations. But theywere distinct for the purpose of bringing forththe Messiah, Jesus Christ. Israel wasdistinct not by self-merit but by divinemandate.
God's people were foreknown to him, that is,they had an existence before their physicalappearance on earth. Paul reveals this truthin reference to the Christian church (Eph.1:4). Just as a painting exists in the artist'smind before he finishes his work of art soGod's people existed in the mind of Godbefore their physical existence. They werechosen in Christ before the foundation of theworld (Eph.1:4) and Christ came to savethem from their sins (Matt.1:21).
Chastisement
Israel sinned and sin must be dealt with.Hence Israel and Judah are chastised fortheir waywardness. Captivity was theirchastisement. God forgives sins and thenforgets them. He is holy and chastises us forsins but he is also merciful and when weseek his pardon he forgives us and receivesus.
Israel’s warfare, that is, their time of hardlabour, would come to an end. This wasGod's comforting word to an afflicted people.
Isaiah saw this comfort coming throughGod's servant (Isaiah 53:5). This servant isJesus Christ for he bore chastisement onbehalf of his people. Jesus is our substitute.
Calvary's Cross
On the cross Jesus paid the penalty for thesins of his people. The Lord declared that hispeople had received double for their sins. Allthat was necessary for the cleansing of sinwould be provided for by the blood of Jesus.
The blood of Jesus is sufficient. It is enoughto cleanse us of all our sins. No more bloodis needed. The blood of Jesus is efficacious.It works for the forgiveness of our sins. Theblood of Jesus is permanent. Its value isforever. There is no need for furthersacrifice.
Comfort
Isaiah spoke of comfort for God’s people.Jesus also spoke of comfort. He comfortedhis troubled disciples (John 14:1-6). Hecomforted grieving Mary (John 19:25). Hecomforted his waiting disciples saying,“Peace be with you” (John 29:19). Hespeaks comfort through the apostle Paulsaying we are justified by faith and havepeace with God through our Lord JesusChrist (Romans 5:1).
This Easter season come to the cross ofCalvary but come with reverence. Mosesapproached the burning bush and was toldto take off his sandals for he stood on holyground (Exodus 3:5). Come to Calvary’scross but come with reverence for theground on which you stand has been bloodstainedwith the blood of Jesus Christ. Comein faith for without faith it is impossible toplease God.
But, you may ask, what relevance is this tome today as I wrestle with the needs of life?Remember the priorities of God. First, headdresses your relationship with him. Thensecondly, he addresses all your needs in life.Be right with God through Christ Jesus firstand, as Jesus himself has taught, all thethings you need in life shall be added to you(Matt.6:33).