August 13 - Isaiah 61:1-6

August 13 – Isaiah 61:1-6

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 brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 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 splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.

Just after Jesus had His encounter with the devil before beginning His ministry, He “returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit…” (Luke 4:14).  He went to Nazareth and went into the synagogue.  He stood up and read these words from Isaiah … “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me …” (Luke 4:18-19)

In just a few words, He proclaimed the beginning of His ministry, by using words familiar to His listeners and He also affirmed the work of the Trinity … the Spirit, the Sovereign Lord and He, Himself as the Messiah who would bring restoration.

Salvation and restoration will come to the people of Israel.  Their strength will return and they will show forth the splendor of the Lord.

In verse six we read that they will be called priests and ministers of the Lord.  They will return to their original purpose, which was to take the Lord’s name to the entire earth.  Israel was to be the bridge to the world between God and man.  When they couldn’t fulfill this, He sent the Messiah to redeem them and to finish the task, opening the path so that we could all approach the Sovereign Lord.

This is why Jesus’ commission continues to be one of the most important things He said to us.  We are not to hold back, we are to be the bridge to the world.  We are a kingdom of priests, we are salt, we are light.  We are not called to be stuck inside our church buildings, alone and playing games with each other.  We are called to reach beyond ourselves, to preach good news, to proclaim freedom and release, to tell the world that God is with them!