Our reading in Isaiah is quite clear. Our world is in distress. People are tired, hungry, disenfranchised. The distinctions between rich and poor, important and lowly, are being erased. This is presented as a reason for sorrow. Society works very well when there is a variety of social and economic classes. The rich and influential know who may need help and the poor know where to appeal for help if they need it.
While this economic and social leveling is a problem in some ways, there is a sense in which role distinctions disappear. As regards repentance and forgiveness all stand equal. Our reading in 1 John makes that clear. Let's make a few observations in order.
First, look how real Jesus is. He is not some concept introduced to spark our interest. He's real. Jesus lived a real life and died a real death for sin, which is also real. Jesus' death was not just for some sins or the sins of some people, but for all the sin of all the world, always.
With a statement like that, why aren't we universalists? John tells us that forgiveness is linked to living a life of confession. It's clear that we do continue to sin. And Scripture is clear that sin condemns us. We are always in need of forgiveness. What promise do we have? Confession brings forgiveness based on Christ's faithfulness, not on ours. Jesus is there to forgive, cleanse, and heal his people. And who are his people? All who turn to him for forgiveness. Here the role distinctions are gone and it is decidedly good.
Let us look in these last days to Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away all our sin.
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