“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’” (Isaiah 52:7). The imagery is that of a runner bringing the news from afar, running hard over stony mountain paths: the feet are bruised and swollen, the dirt ground in around broken toenails, and yet those feet are beautiful because they represent the commitment of this messenger to bring us this good news of peace and salvation.

But it seems not everyone wants to accept this report (53:1). The Servant of the Lord (52:13) startles many nations and kings (52:15); he has no form or majesty that we would admire him, and indeed he was despised and rejected (53:2-3). Yet “he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (53:5).

This reality would be so transformative for those whose lives were broken and desolate, in Isaiah’s day and in the coming Exile that Judah would experience (and it is the same for our present day as well): the extended family will turn out to be far greater and all-encompassing than any ordinary family could imagine (54:1). Insiders and outsiders: “everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (55:1). It’s going to be a big, big party, and everyone is invited: y’all come and share in the fullness of joy!

This is what the Lord has promised, Isaiah insists; no matter how bleak it looks at the moment, you can count on what God has said to establish the result that God has in mind: “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (55:11).

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Like lost sheep we have all gone astray, O Lord, each of us aiming to get our own way; yet you have atoned for our iniquity, and in bearing our sins you have made intercession for us transgressors. Teach us, then, to seek you while you may be found, to forsake our wicked ways and return to you, that you may indeed have mercy – astonishing mercy! – on us.

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