God Comforts His People (Isaiah 40:1,2)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
12 May 2024
In the days of Isaiah the prophet the Jews needed comforting. They were in captivity. Today, people need comforting for they are under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19).
God comforts his people because it is his nature to do so. He is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3). Consider how he comforted Adam and Eve, Jonah, Elijah. Remember how Jesus went about doing good and comforting people.
God comforts his people because he cares for his chosen people on earth and they are never abandoned. Jesus came to save his people from their sins (Mat 1:21). No-one can snatch them from his hands.
To comfort his people God sends a prophet. He sent Isaiah. He has sent Jesus the great prophet and comforter. While he was earth Jesus comforted people—the hungry, sick, bereaved, the demon possessed.
God comforts by the spoken word. Isaiah the prophet must speak to the people. Jesus is the Word. He came to proclaim good news to his people.
Israel will be delivered from warfare. Her captivity is over. The Jews would have been comforted by the promise that after 70 years their captivity was ending.
Israel’s iniquities were pardoned. They were in captivity because of sin but released because of divine mercy. This points to the efficacy of the blood of Jesus who paid the price of redemption. The blood of Jesus is effective for the pardoning of our sins.
Israel has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. There is nothing for her to pay. She has been punished in full. This points to the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning death. Nothing more is required. The death of Jesus is sufficient to atone for all our sins.
This is the comforting message of the gospel.
Let us cast all our cares upon him for he cares for us (1 Pet 5:7). He will comfort you.
Then go forth and comfort others who are in trouble with the same comfort with which you have been comforted (2 Cor 1:4). Receive comfort; give comfort. Be like Jesus.