Our First Reading this week is Isaiah 6:1-8.
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
The prophet Isaiah wrote things that point to God’s plan of salvation long before Jesus came as a human on earth. These passages help us see that God has been working constantly and consistently since the very beginning to restore our relationship with Him. We broke God’s law and turned away, yet in His mercy, He reaches out to us.
This reading speaks of seeing God Almighty, being cleansed and forgiven of sin, and sent in His name. This is exactly why Jesus came – to show us the Father, save us from our sins and call us to go share the Gospel with everyone. We have always been part of God’s plan as His representatives in the world.
As beloved and forgiven children we are blessed with a responsibility in the family of God. While He needs no help from us, He invites us to be active participants in His saving work. When He calls, may our response ever be “Here am I. Send me!”
Loving Lord, we are thankful for Your mercy and restoration. Help us to share the blessing of salvation with all Your children everywhere. Amen.