The Holy Highway

The Holy Highway Isaiah 35:8-11 Introduction I need to remind us that Isaiah was written, as were the rest of the prophetic books in the time before Christ's first advent. These passages are best understood as pointing to him and his ministry, his kingdom, his reigning at his appearance, and following his resurrection, with the subsequent ascension into heaven and imbued with all power and authority. The passage of scripture we look at today tells us of the plan of salvation, a spiritual journey, and does not speak of some future earthly kingdom. It is for the people who walked beside Messiah, and for those of us who follow in their footsteps. This is the Way. Isaiah 35:8-10 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. And the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:1-2 This entire chapter is filled with imagery of Jesus and his advent. The first two verses speak of the spiritual refreshing that Jesus brings to those who believe on his name. As he told the Samaritan woman at the well, "the water that I give .. will become .. a spring of water welling up to eternal life," (John 4:14). Now, unlike Moses, who God used to bring literal water from the rock, Jesus brings a spiritual refreshing that is difficult to describe, but most certainly fits the description of Isaiah: "the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice; the crocus will burst into bloom." Those who receive the salvation of the Lord are changed, transformed, like deserts that have been overcome by new life. Isaiah 35:3-7 These verses almost certainly point to the work and ministry of Jesus as he traversed Galilee, Samaria, and Judea during his three years of ministry. He healed hands, legs, and fearful hearts. He opened the eyes of the blind, literally, and opened the eyes of the spiritually blind, figuratively. But, he also blinded those who claimed to see and understand (religious). The lame leaped for joy. The mute began to speak, perfectly understandable (this fact struck me as I recently read through the Gospels.) Verse 7 is understood in a more spiritual fashion, and provides a nice bridge to the Highway of Holiness. Isaiah 35:8-10 Again, the highest and best understanding of this verse is the here and now, present kingdom of God. It is not some future event. It cannot be, for you and I are right now encouraged to get on the Highway of Holiness. We put away our uncleanness by the only sacrifice that is sufficient to cover sin, the shed blood of Jesus. And when we come to the cross, we start the journey on this great highway. Why? Well, the prophet tells us that the "unclean" will not journey on it. He says that the wicked fools will not travel this way. When Paul was standing before the Roman Governor Felix, he used this term to describe the Messianic movement that had grown out of Judaism. "I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect," (Acts 24:14). First century believers in Jesus were variously called Christians and followers of "the Way." It is likely that they looked at this passage of Isaiah's prophesy and found justification for calling their gatherings by this moniker. Then, of course, the Jewish leaders adopted this same name, but used it to brand them as a fringe movement in order to attempt to nullify their influence. The only problem is that "The Way", the "Highway of Holiness" is God's only road to eternity with him. Final Thoughts "Only the Redeemed walk there" - You and I, those of us who have been redeemed, are walking up the King's highway. We are on the path that the unclean and fools cannot see, and cannot walk, cannot know. In fact, they call us fools because we do not walk according to pattern that they know in this life. We do not walk in the futility of life that begins at conception and ends at the grave. We walk in the enduring path that leads to life everlasting. It is vastly different than anything this life could ever give us. Sin has so infected this life, this world, that death is its logical end. But that is not the path of the redeemed. Jesus said it this way, "Enter through the narrow gate. For the wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it," (Matthew 7:13-14). So, are you going to be in that number? You know! "When the saints go marching in." Will you be there? Will you walk the narrow road, the path, the highway of holiness? God offers it to you, to us, to all who call out to him today. Come to the Cross. Come to Jesus. 3