It is easier to build something new that to restore something that has fallen apart. It is true of houses, furniture, and cars. It is even more true of careers, relationships, lives, and communities. Restoration is difficult.
The prophet Isaiah wrote to a nation that was falling apart. Ancient Israel was conquered by foreign powers, a consequences of Israel’s own sin and injustice. Isaiah said that after a time of exile in Babylon, God would send a redeemer to restore the nation. Most immediately, Isaiah was speaking of the emperor Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon and allowed the people of Israel to return home and rebuild.
Isaiah was also looking at something bigger than one nation and one historic event. He was looking to a time when God would send Jesus to redeem all people from their sins and enable them to rebuild lives and communities.
In our sermon this Sunday we will look at Jesus, the redeemer who restores.