Message: Go Deeper / Isaiah 6:1-8 & Luke 5:1-11

Many people find our current political and economic situation uncertain and chaotic. While we are not here to analyze these issues in detail, one thing is clear: we are living in a crucial time of change. Canada will soon have a new Prime Minister, and at the end of this month, Ontario will hold elections. Most significantly, with a new President taking office in our neighbouring country, we are facing new challenges and shifts. Because of these changes, some may feel overwhelmed, upset, or even powerless. In times like these, what hope can we find in our Christian faith?

Today’s Scripture readings present two wonderful stories of calling. The first is in Isaiah 6:1-8, where the prophet Isaiah receives his call from God. It begins with the words, “In the year that King Uzziah died.” This simple phrase gives us important context. In Isaiah’s time, Israel was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Isaiah served as a prophet in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah.

Uzziah became king at a young age and ruled Judah for about 50 years. Early in his reign, he was an exceptional leader. He strengthened his nation by eliminating idolatry that had led to moral and spiritual corruption. He also expanded irrigation systems to improve agriculture, fortified the walls of Jerusalem, and reorganized the military to defend against external threats. In every aspect - culture, religion, economy, military, and society - he brought prosperity to his people.

However, a serious problem arose. The Bible records, “When he (Uzziah) had become strong, he grew proud, to his destruction” (2 Chronicles 26:16). His arrogance made him a monster, leading him to overstep boundaries. A clear example of this was his attempt to burn incense in the temple, a religious duty reserved only for priests. When the priests tried to stop him, he became angry. At that moment, he was struck with leprosy. At that time, leprosy was considered highly contagious, and according to the Law, he had to live in isolation for the rest of his life. As a result, his son Jotham took over his royal duties.

The death of King Uzziah marked a time of great decline for the nation. Judah was weakened from within and faced growing threats from outside. The powerful Assyrian Empire was advancing toward the region of Palestine, spreading fear among Judah and its neighbouring nations. This fear soon became reality: shortly after Uzziah’s death, the northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria. While Judah survived, it became a vassal state under Assyrian control.

In the midst of this political instability, Isaiah went to the temple. The Bible does not tell us why he went there. Some believe he might have been a priest, but this is not certain. Unlike Jeremiah identified as a priest in the Bible, Isaiah’s occupation is not mentioned.

We can imagine why he went to the temple. When people face overwhelming crises and feel powerless, their reactions are not the same. Some fall into despair, complaining, blaming others, or getting lost in distractions. Others ignore the bigger issues and focus only on themselves. But for people like us, the response is to turn to prayer. Prayer helps us discern what we can and cannot do. It allows us to surrender what’s beyond our control to God, while also taking action where we can make a difference. For Isaiah, the temple was the house of prayer, as it was for many in Jerusalem. In a time of national turmoil, he sought God through prayer. And there, he encountered God.

Today’s Gospel reading tells the story of Jesus calling his first disciples, with a special focus on Peter. He lived in a time of crisis under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire and corrupt leaders. Rome imposed heavy taxes on the Jewish people to fund its military and lavish projects in their big cities. Herod Antipas, who kept power by working with Rome, imprisoned and executed John the Baptist for speaking out against his wrongdoings. The loss of such a respected figure deepened the people’s sense of powerlessness and despair.

In addition, Galilee, where Peter lived, was known for resisting Roman rule. Being a northern border region, it was often the first to be attacked by foreign empires. This history gave the people of Galilee a strong spirit of defiance. As a result, the Romans crucified many rebels there to set an example for others. Young people like Peter felt helpless, unable to change the harsh political situation.

Peter’s struggle is clear in today’s passage. He was an experienced fisherman and knew the Sea of Galilee well. But even after working all night, he caught nothing. He must have felt frustrated and discouraged, as if nothing was going right. At that moment, Jesus came to Peter. Unlike Isaiah, Peter was not in the temple; he was simply working to make a living. Still, Christ came to him. 

An interesting parallel between Isaiah and Peter is that, when they encounter God, their first response is to confess their own shortcomings. Isaiah says, “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5). Similarly, Peter says, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8).

In both cases, their immediate reaction is one of humility and recognition of their sins in the presence of God. This moment of self-awareness prepares them for God’s call. Despite their feelings of unworthiness, God does not reject them but calls them to a greater purpose. God’s grace is always available to those who humbly acknowledge their need for it.

The Korean poet Shin Kyeong-Nim says in his poem, “The more chaotic the world becomes, the harsher I become to others and the more generous I become to myself.” When we face a crisis, we often blame others instead of looking inward. But this only drains our energy and does not nourish our spirits.

For the poet, the vast ocean reminded him of divine presence. As he gazed at the sea, he wondered, “Can I be as generous as the open sea? Can I accept others like the deep, endless ocean?” The water in the shallows is easily disturbed, but when it reaches the deep sea, it becomes calm. Similarly, when our hearts feel restless, we need to dive into the eternal God, whose grace is endless. In God, those who feel helpless receive help, those who feel hopeless find hope, and those who feel powerless gain strength.

Each of us may answer God’s call in different ways. The prophet Isaiah raised a strong voice, warning political and religious leaders. But his message always ended with hope. His message came from God's vision for a better world, not skepticism or nihilism. Peter, on the other hand, answered his calling by building the church and spreading the Gospel. He travelled, preached, baptized new believers, and shared the teachings of Jesus. His dedication laid the foundation for our faith today.

But both of them began by looking within themselves to recognize their inner souls. The easiest way to make a difference in the world is by changing ourselves first. A good place to start is by reflecting on our actions: acknowledging our mistakes, striving to be kinder and more patient, and living out Christ’s love in our daily lives. From there, we extend our mission: creating harmony in our families, sharing the gospel of Christ with our neighbours, promoting peace in our communities, and getting involved in grassroots movements to ensure justice and righteousness thrive in our society.

No matter the situation, God never gives up on us. Just as God appeared to Isaiah in the temple and Jesus approached Peter on the shore, God continues to come to us. God calls us to go deeper: deeper in prayer, deeper in Scripture, deeper in worship, deeper in fellowship, deeper in service, deeper in engaging with social issues, and deeper in God’s presence. When we answer that call, we will not be shaken by the challenges we face.

In this time of confusion and change, let us respond to God’s call and journey together into deeper faith. There, we will discover the abundant grace waiting for us. May God’s peace and blessings be upon us all, and upon all people in Canada. 

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Rev. Min Hwang