“See, I have made Him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples.” Isaiah 55:4
This is yet another prophesy of the role the coming Messiah would fulfill as given through the prophet Isaiah. The term, “leader and commander” is ultimately attributed to Jesus and His calling. The titles are ones that hold a military connotation. They may remind us of the title we give to our own American President as Commander and Chief. It means that he holds the highest office of the military and commands the actions to defend and protect our country, using force as needed. As Romans 13:4 comments on governing authorities… “For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, and an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”
While in this fallen world we face many who are opposed to goodness and justice and threaten our physical safety, the ultimate message of Isaiah’s prophesy is spiritual. There is a very real devil who prowls around us looking for a time when we are weak so that he can devour us and we know that our ultimate threats are not physical but spiritual. This is why our Great Commander and Chief, Jesus Christ, intervenes and mounts an offense and defense on our behalf. Even when we are wounded by the onslaught of sin, death and the power of the devil, Jesus brings healing in the triage of the sacraments and the forgiveness of sins.
As God has led His people in the past and granted victory, so also, He will give us victory in the present and the future. Our battle is spiritual, and we have been enlisted into the fight, even as Christ through the empty tomb has already won the war. Behind our Commander and Chief, our great leader, we continue to move into the battle against the foe and doing so as the forgiven Children of God.
You know the hymn… sing it out as you read the lyrics!
“Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before,
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.” (LSB #662)
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Kilian