A note from Pastor regarding his sermon:

When Isaiah wrote the words of our Old Testament reading for this week, Jerusalem seemed like anything but a place of peace and security. The Assyrian Empire was rapidly advancing from the north, and threatened to occupy or destroy Jerusalem on its way to fight against the Egyptians. And even though Jerusalem would be miraculously spared invasion by the Assyrians, the Babylonians were rising in power and would succeed in defeating the Israelites there.

As we begin a new church year and an Advent season, our readings also turn our attention to the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. And again, the city does not seem like the place of victory and glory. The Romans occupy the city, and violence will break out leading to the destruction of the Second Temple in a handful of years.

And yet, Isaiah’s prophecy promises that Jerusalem will become a place of refuge; the destination of all people faithful to God who seek to serve Him. So as we begin another Advent season in preparation for welcoming our Savior into our midst, let’s begin by marvelling at God’s unlikely-seeming promise to Jerusalem that it will be at the heart of His kingdom.