Isaiah 35:1-6,10; Psalm 145(146); James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
To encourage and console all those whose confidence in God falters, Isaiah continues his triumphal vision of the peace that will come from God, when those ransomed by the Lord will go to Zion, singing God’s praises. It was written in Babylon shortly after 540 BC, when the Persian king Cyrus had unexpectedly authorised Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. Isaiah’s portrayal of the people’s expectant joy was
later seen by Christians as a foretaste of the peace Jesus Christ will bring.
The psalm praises the goodness of God who keeps his covenant promises.
The letter attributed to James, probably the brother of the Lord, the leader of the Jerusalem Church, was written late in the first century. It is full of pastoral advice and warnings against riches and presumption. Religion is not a private matter – the Christian community is in a covenant relationship with God, and our faith in God must be visible in love of our neighbour. We must patiently practise our faith, not swearing but letting our “yes” mean “yes”, leaving justice to God.
In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s vision – he is already enabling the blind to see, the lame to walk – his kingdom is already coming into being. But this deputation from John the Baptist in prison introduces two chapters describing growing opposition to Jesus by the Jewish leaders.
Psalm Response: Come, Lord, and save us.