I subscribe to a news source that aggregates the news stories of media outlets and attempts to look from the middle at what both sides of the aisle are saying. In reaction to the murder of Charlie Kirk, one journalist gave his own perspective, saying:
“…most days, the truth of the matter is that I am an optimist — I am hopeful about our country and the people that inhabit it and our resilience against the scourge of division and conspiracy and hate.
But today, this is my truth: I don’t know where we go from here. This country, this society — it feels irredeemable on days like this. I’m watching influential conservative voices declare civil war. MSNBC analysts are on air justifying Kirk’s murder (and justifiably getting fired for it) while guests are suggesting that maybe he was shot by a supporter ’shooting their gun off in celebration.’”
My reaction is two-fold: First, I am thankful for rhetoric that attempts to be measured instead of inflammatory. It is rare, and you rarely hear it from most popular media sources. As Christians, we need to model this kind of balanced perspective. Secondly, I long for the evil of this world to be accounted for. For awful news to not be looming at every moment (I write this on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks).
As I speak to people outside of the church, the hopeful optimism expressed about humanity in the statement above is pretty common. People need to believe that people are basically good. If so, they can judge themselves on a sliding scale and affirm their own goodness (especially since most people think of themselves as better than average).
And then we come to Isaiah. He does not share an optimistic outlook on humanity. He gives no quarter for people to think of themselves as basically good and deserving of God’s acceptance. He eviscerates that notion for all of humanity—starting with the very people God had set apart as His own special possession. As we discussed this last week, the theme of judgment is prominent in Isaiah’s prophecy and that judgment starts with Israel.
That would be a truly devastating proposition if not for Isaiah’s second major theme. God is faithful to save those who will turn to Him in repentance. Those that accept the Promised One (we know Isaiah is speaking of Jesus) will be saved. That is the answer to being right with God, not our relative goodness scored on a sliding scale.
Isaiah’s prophecy does not end there, however. In spite of his vision of God’s servant (Jesus) coming to take on God’s wrath poured out on people, the world still experiences the brokenness of sin. Paul tells the Romans, “the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth…” (Rom. 8:22). Paul’s answer and Isaiah’s answer are the same. We hope for a future when Jesus will come and fix our broken world. And that hope is certain.
That is the only answer and the only reaction to news like the death of Charlie Kirk. Like the Sept. 11 attacks 24 years ago. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Maranatha.
