The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
February 8, 2026
Reconnect with God
The context for yesterday's sermon was the rote worship of the Israelites. I noted that we all need connection with God–our Maker, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. His breath give us life (Ge 2:7), so the desire to be with Him, to know him, and to relate with him is part of who we are. Yet, we know there is a major disconnect with God. We experience it when things go wrong in life. This disconnect is the consequence of sin. He banned us from his presence after the first sin (Ge 3:23). Much of the testament about Jesus before his birth takes place within the dymanic of reconnecting to God. Remember, Jacob wrestles with God, and will not let go until God blesses him.
In our Bible passage from Isaiah the issue is doing religious things as a way of connecting with God. Worship (both then and now) may be described as set of behaviors that focus our attention on Him through His Word. Fasting is the paritulcar religious practice in focus in Isaiah 58. Yet, it's not just doing the particular "work" that brings us close to God. Like the people of Israel we may think that by merely praying more, going to church more, fasting more, reading the Bible more will bring God closer to us, helping us reconnect with God.
I retold the story of the rich young man who asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eteranal life. Jesus tells him to sell everything he has, give to the poor, and follow Jesus. In other words, he is to put his whole trust in Jesus, not his accumulated wealth, and share with others what the LORD has given him.
This passage describes what is essential. It is not prescriptive. Rather, it focuses us on Jesus. I noted that the last words in the passage, "Here I am," are better translated "Behold me." When we behold Jesus we reconnect with God!