Isaiah 6:1-8
In the World War II movie Fury, Shia LaBeouf’s character, appropriately nicknamed as “Bible,” because of his penchant for quoting biblical verses, sits at the gunner position of a Sherman tank during the final weeks of World War II.1
As the crew awaits near-certain death from an approaching German battalion, “Bible” quotes to the crew:
“There’s a Bible verse I think about sometimes; many times; it goes, ‘Then I heard the voice of the LORD, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ (Troubled, LaBeouf’s character pauses and clears his throat). And I said, ‘Here am I; send me.’”
The sermon’s text this week is often called the “Call of Isaiah.” Isaiah is probably in despair and confusion. The righteous king has died and the future does not look as good. But instead of looking at the circumstances, God gives Isaiah a vision of his holiness from the Temple. Then God asks who will go and speak for God. Isaiah, with his failures and flaw volunteers to be God’s messenger.
How many times are we are so caught up in our circumstances that we can not look up and see the greatness of our God? Yes, God wants to use us, to use you. Even with all our lacking, we are the ones that God wants to fulfill the tasks that need to be done. The real question is, “Are you a willing volunteer?”
The character from the movie realizes that he and his crew are the ones that are called to face the enemy and keep them from advancing. Jesus quotes Isaiah 6 in Luke 4:17, and says his task is the call of Isaiah 6. So, each one of us that follow Christ, must also face the call if Isaiah 6.
Pastor Greg
