May 18, 2022
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“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…”
Isaiah 61:1-2
I love the Bible. One of the absolute coolest things about the Bible is that, like God, time seems to all get blended together. The Prophets of the old testament often had no real concept of what it truly was they were prophesying about from a time standpoint. The first coming, the second coming, or all that is in between often gets folded on top of each other, yet it still sings to our hearts today just as it did 2000 years ago.
It is living.
Jesus, as the Word made flesh knew what was written about Him. He knew it would shock those of His time to have them fulfilled. He also knew those same words would move us.
Today we are looking at Isaiah 61 and the epic mic drop of Jesus resighting this in the synagogue.
Today’s question:
How do the words of Isaiah 61 transcend time? How do they move you? Are you ready to find out?
In this post…
Isaiah and Jesus
This is just me, although I don’t believe I am alone, Isaiah can be heavy.
It is prophetic and so most of what is written in its pages is what Isaiah saw for the future Kingdom of God. I think it is one of the most powerful books. As you read now with 2020 hindsight vision it is clear without a doubt that Jesus of Nazareth is our Lord and Savior. He names Him in Isaiah 9:6-7~ “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end.“
Isaiah 61 is special.
Let’s set the stage. Here is Jesus. He knows who He is and what He is about to do, but nobody else knows this yet. Well, A crazy man named John the Baptist, who wore camel hair and ate bugs, but not the general public knew who Jesus was.
And here He comes into the synagogue with everyone watching. Of all the scrolls to hand Him they hand Him Isaiah, one written about Him. And where does He go? Isaiah 61.
He only resites verse 1 and part of two. Then, they were not numbered and I’m sure He didn’t actually have to read it.
Let’s read the story in Luke:
“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them,
“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke
4:18-21Boom! Mic Drop!
This might actually be the most epic mc drop ever. Everyone there knew what He was saying. He was saying, I am the Messiah. This was written about me. I am the anointed one. I am here. Today, this prophecy of the Christ is fulfilled. I am here to proclaim the good news to the poor. To free the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to bring God’s favor, His love to the people. He was making Isaiah 61 real.
Keep reading in Luke to find out what happens. The people were not as excited about this as I am reading it today.
What Isaiah 61 says to our hearts today…
As I said, I love the Bible. It is living.
Yes, this was written about our savior, but what truths is it speaking to your heart today?
The words don’t expire. They have meaning to each of us because His word is how He speaks to us.
To me, when I read this I am reminded that God anoints all of us in our unique ways. He asks all of us, just as Jesus commanded in the great commission in Mathew 28- go share the good news! Bring Him to all Nations. Help the poor. Proclaim liberty to the captives. Set those hearts who are without Him free.
He anoints us all in His way in His perfect will to fulfill His great purpose. That is how much He loves us all, that He entrusts us with His purpose.
That is today’s wisdom from above.
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