Isaiah 6:6-7
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
I am not sure if I am bringing up painful memories about your school principal but let’s have one more. In our imaginary story, you have been called to his lair. You know you don’t have a leg to stand on but you start cooking up a defense. It is a lost cause as you are dead to rights. He has you and there seems to be no escape. There is a weird sort of comfort in that. It is over, you are getting what you deserve, and you can stop worrying about it.
Isaiah may have been thinking the same thing, to just get it over with. Now imagine the principal telling you that he is going to give you one more chance to follow the rules. There would be no punishment and the infraction would not be on your record. Isaiah received just such a pardon but it spared his life!
Think of the many people you may know who are walking this earth, their entire lives being one long walk to the principal’s office, knowing there is misery at the other end. Perhaps that is you. Look at the story of Isaiah and realize that this could be your story. Jesus walked this earth knowing there was suffering at the other end of the Via Dolorosa and the cross. Now because of that, there is forgiveness, mercy, and an inheritance at the end of your road. Just let the burning coal of grace touch your lips…
Enjoy your long walk!
God Bless,
Pastor Boyer
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Is 6 6-7). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.