From Anger to Comfort

This powerful message invites us into Isaiah's radical vision of God's new creation, where judgment transforms into comfort and ancient enemies become companions. Drawing from Isaiah 65:17-25, we encounter a God who doesn't remain stuck in anger but moves toward restoration, creating new heavens and a new earth where wolves and lambs feed together. The challenge here cuts deep: while we excel at building walls and policing boundaries between the worthy and unworthy, God's kingdom operates on an entirely different principle. It demands vulnerable hospitality that welcomes even before transformation is complete. The sermon connects this ancient prophecy to Christ's incarnation, showing how God chose vulnerability over power, entering our world as a baby rather than a conquering force. We're confronted with an uncomfortable truth: we want resurrection without crucifixion, comfort without releasing our grip on the divisions we've carefully maintained. Yet God invites us to participate in this cosmic renewal by choosing curiosity over contempt, extending comfort rather than judgment, and risking welcome without requiring proof of safety first. This isn't passive waiting but active participation in God's creating work, making every shared meal across division and every boundary crossed in love a window into the world God is making.