Reflection on Isaiah 61:1-11

Scripture
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendour


Observation
This passage was applied by Jesus to His own ministry. The Spirit of God anointed or empowered Him for His ministry

• He preached Good News to the poor- God loves them and will provide what they need.
• He bound up the broken-hearted- Jesus heals our emotional pain.
• He proclaimed freedom for captives- He frees us from the binding, entangling sin that trips us up and which our own determination cannot overcome.
• He releases from darkness the prisoners- He is the light and in Him we have true freedom
• He proclaimed the year of the Lord's favour- this is the Jubilee Year, the 50th year when all debts were cancelled and slaves set free
• He proclaimed the day of vengeance of our God- He will judge all who refuse His mercy
• He comforts all who mourn- the assurance of salvation for our family and friends who die knowing Him, but also the certainty that everything that is wrong in this age will one day be overturned.

Application
When I think of all that is packed into this short statement of Jesus' ministry, my heart sings and my spirit rejoices.

Jesus truly is awesome, and His coming into the world is a history-making event.

How can I worship my Redeemer?

• by trying to live a life that follows His example
• by loving my enemies- even those who trash my mail box
• by forgiving those who I feel sin against me
• by proclaiming the Good News to all who will listen
• in short by living whole-heartedly for Jesus

Prayer
Lord, what a Saviour you are. You take every facet of human existence- every bit of our fallen life- and you redeem it, make it new and purify it from the power of sin and death.

My God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit- you are truly worthy of all praise. Amen.