Jesus when commencing his ministry took hold of these verses and announced their fulfilment in and through him. We need to be open to what he wants to do in our lives, will you let him in?
Isaiah 61 vs. 1-3 – The Spirit of The Sovereign Lord is on Me
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
When Jesus preached in the synagogue announcing the fulfilment of this prophecy, criticism did ensue
He was perceived by those around him to be a mere carpenter’s son, his imagination overactive
In the years to come he showed by his deeds that he was the Messiah, and some changed their views
Others though failed to recognise him, they saw him as a threat, and the religious leaders were reactive
Jesus called them a brood of vipers for they were unable to see the good and wouldn’t change their views
Jesus was inaugurating a new kingdom, which was radical, proclaiming freedom for the captives
And release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour
And the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
Jesus came that we might have life, life in abundance now that is something to savour
But we need to be open to his Spirit, and not of Satan a pawn
Giving over all the things that cause us to sin, and to hold onto our faith so we don’t waver
Jesus desires we hold firm, he will comfort us when we 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
He alone can take us up from the pit, the miry clay, place in us a new song, and heal our gashes
Dress our wounds, place our feet upon a rock and give us stability instead of utter despair
He desires that we are prepared to let go of the things that hold us back all the dings and bashes
And he will anoint us with oil and soothe the hurt, his desire to restore and us totally repair
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
A planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour
For God desires that we are his witnesses
That we by our lives shine and other lives bring colour
Demonstrating that our God is peerless
Beyond compare, worthy of worship for he is our saviour
Standing firm, standing on his promises
For he is the Christ, the first and the last, our holy saviour
Mark Maffey, September 2008 ©
(NIV)