Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the
lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
(Isaiah 35:5)
This verse is about transformation. The blind see! The deaf hear! The crippled leap! The
mute sings!
Within this verse and passage from Isaiah, it is about announcing what God is doing and
will do within the midst of God’s people. And that work is transformation!
In our world today, we may desire to see transformations like the ones listed in Isaiah—
however for most of us this does not become a reality. I think that in our day and age, the
transformations that occur tend to be more subtle or more in spiritual nature.
Think about baptism. For many, baptism may just be a ritual that is done at the birth of a
child. However, if we take the Scriptures seriously, baptism is one of the most powerful
transformations that we ever encounter.
For in baptism, we believe that through pouring water on the head of someone transforms
them from a sinful person to a beloved child of God. We believe that in these waters,
it has the power of washing away sins, delivers us from death and the devil, and
gives everlasting salvation to all who believe what God has promised (Luther’s Small
Catechism). Luther goes on to say that it is not truly in the water for water by itself
cannot do such amazing things, but it is water with the Word of God that can accomplish
such miraculous things.
Through the gift of baptism—some of the transformational events that Isaiah announces
occur but they are in a more spiritual way. For in baptism our eyes are open more fully to
the work of God. In baptism our ears are open to the still small voice of God. In baptism
our sin crippled soul is free to leap for God.
Baptism is only one example of God’s transformative work within our world. If we look
around and attempt to be open to seeing the work of God, we may surprise ourselves and
see how God is at work transforming all of His creation.
We may not think much about transformation day in and day out. However, we need to
remember that in Christ we are made new. We are a new creature in Christ and the old
has gone away and the new has come. (II Corinthians 5:17)
How are you being transformed this Advent season?