What scriptural connections exist between Isaiah 6:8 and Jesus' call to His disciples? Isaiah’s prophetic commissioning “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ ” (Isaiah 6:8) Jesus’ first invitation “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) Key parallels between the two calls • Divine initiative – Isaiah hears God’s question. – The disciples hear Jesus’ summons (Mark 1:17; Luke 5:10–11). • A mission is offered, not merely an invitation – Isaiah is sent to speak God’s message (Isaiah 6:9). – The disciples are sent to “catch men” (Luke 5:10) and later “to preach” (Mark 3:14). • Immediate, willing response – Isaiah: “Here am I.” – Disciples: “They left their nets at once and followed Him” (Matthew 4:20). • Sense of unworthiness met by cleansing/grace – Isaiah cries, “Woe to me… I am a man of unclean lips,” and a coal purifies him (Isaiah 6:5–7). – Peter falls at Jesus’ knees: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8), yet Jesus reassures and commissions him. • Authority behind the sending – Isaiah is dispatched by the Sovereign LORD. – Jesus, who possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18), commissions His followers. Progression from call to commissioning • Training period—disciples “to be with Him” before being sent (Mark 3:14). • Expanded mandate—“As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). • Global scope—“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Echoes of Isaiah in Jesus’ ministry • Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9–10 when explaining parables (Matthew 13:14), showing continuity between Isaiah’s message and His own. • The same God who called Isaiah now speaks through His Son (Hebrews 1:1–2), uniting the prophetic and apostolic missions. Take-away truths • God still initiates; our role is to answer promptly. • Cleansed people become commissioned people. • Every follower of Christ is saved for a purpose—sent into the world with His gospel, just as Isaiah was sent to Judah. |
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