Reading: Isaiah 6:1-13
The Lutheran understanding of the calling of a minister is of a mediated divine call. Mediated means it comes through his people the church. Unlike say Paul, the disciples or Isaiah in this scene, God does not speak directly (unmediated) and call the minister. Nevertheless, that call is still divine. God is still at work placing that call – through the Spirit at work in His people. The Lutheran can talk about receiving a call from God. They can also talk about receiving the call from the church. It is one of those incarnational, two natures things. An appropriate topic in advent as we think about the incarnation of God in man as the baby Jesus.
The early part of the reading is heard often. It takes pride of place in Christian worship – Holy, Holy, Holy! and the picture of God’s majesty and the prophet’s reply – Here I am! Send me!
The second part is what is never considered. Isaiah is jumping up and down saying send me, I’ll do it. Then he gets the content of the call. Isaiah, go, go to my people and make them stupid. Shut their eyes and their ears and close off their understanding.
Wait just a second God, that is not what I was jumping up and down for. How long he asks? Maybe this is only a short time to make the reversal all the sweeter. What have I gotten myself into?
The Lord’s reply is stunning. Though 1/10th be left, burn it again. It is a gallows humor joke among seminarians already fearing being sent to North Dakota that when you open up the call package you don’t want to see Isaiah 6:1-13 in the documents.
That is part of the prayer in consideration and discernment. From the Divine side of the call, what Lord do you want me to do in this place? The biggest part of that answer is a faithful proclamation. The holy seed in Isaiah’s stump has come and budded and grown. Jesus Christ has fulfilled the calling of the Father to save mankind from her sins. Jesus Christ and the Spirit are both fulfilling the Mission of God to call sinners to repentance and salvation.
May the Lord prosper His own efforts.
