B27a-devotions

1saiah 61:1-4

Alternative devotions for Friday 1st Jan. *NEW YEAR*

Review

Most Christians know this wonderful passage of Isaiah, because it is the famous text chosen and read by Jesus when He stood up in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-20). It is therefore an essential text for our understanding of the work of the Messiah, not just because Jesus Himself chose it to describe His ministry, but also because it clearly stands at the heart of Isaiah’s prophecies of the glorious work of the Servant, known by us as the Messiah. In recent studies, we have read Isaiah’s vision of the glorious coming of the Lord as light into a dark world (chapter 60); but now, the one speaking is the suffering Servant of Isaiah’s vision of redemption (52:13-53:12). He is also the child ‘Immanuel’ born to be king (7:14, 9:6, 11:2), and the one who will ‘feed His flock like a shepherd’ (40:11). As Isaiah’s prophecies draw to an end, all his hopes and aspirations for the work of the Lord combine in this clear and precise declaration of the mission of God’s Messiah on earth.

Christian readers are struck by the connection between this passage and the ministry of Jesus, who did indeed preach to the poor (Matt 5:1-11 etc), heal the sick (Matt 8:1f. 10:1f. etc.) and set people free (Matt 8:28f., 15:29-31 etc.) in fulfilment of this prophecy. His life, death and resurrection changed the world forever so that through Him, people could indeed access God’s favour, and His life and death brought God’s clear and defining judgement of sin and evil into the world (61:2). There is no doubt that Jesus worked to fulfil the promises of God in this passage of scripture (and others). However, we will learn most about what it means by looking carefully at its place in Isaiah’s prophecies, because this passage is a remarkable summary of everything Isaiah has said previously about the work of God through His Servant.

Fundamentally, God’s work of redemption is ‘good news for the poor’ (60:1), reminding us that God’s priority for the poor is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. The prophets generally speak forthrightly about the way in which Israel rejected God by a combination of injustice and rebellion, but only Isaiah was given a clear picture of how God would overcome this sin. Having seen the collapse of the states of Israel and Judah and their invasion by Assyria and then Babylon, Isaiah also foresaw the poverty of God’s people (3:5, 52:4 etc.), the destruction of Jerusalem and the land (10:5-11, 31:9, 44:26 etc.), and the mourning of God’s people when they were taken into captivity (3:26, 22:12 etc.). Through this suffering, God’s people would be redeemed, but not through their own suffering, only the suffering of God own Servant, the Messiah.

Isaiah was also given a call to prophecy in which God told him that neither he (Isaiah) nor the people of Israel could do anything about their sins (6:9-13). Isaiah, from his earliest prophecies (7:14) perceived that God alone would work in sovereign power through one chosen by Him as a King (9:6, 11:2) and then as a Servant (42:1f. and 53) to restore liberty and freedom not only to His people but to all people. He alone would be the Saviour of the world through this king and Servant! All of these themes from the prophecies of Isaiah and from the life of God’s people Israel are summed up in today’s passage.

With great zeal and enthusiasm, Isaiah announces the words of the Lord’s Servant; ‘the Spirit of the Lord is upon me’ (60:1). After the appalling suffering of the Servant (52:13-53:12), the work of redemption has been done, and all that remains is for Isaiah to announce the benefits of this redemption in full, and this is the announcement! Not only will the Servant liberate the poor, but He will heal people from their wounds and release them from bondage (61:1). Through this restoration the Servant will bless those who have suffered with joy and celebration (61:2,3), and give them a new anointing. He will also build up a new city for His people, restoring what was ruined by ‘past generations (61:4)! This is God’s ‘Good News’, His ‘Gospel’!

1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

He has sent me

to bind up the broken-hearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners;

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

3 to settle those who mourn in Zion,

to give them flowers instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Then, they will be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord to show His glory!

4 They will build up ancient wastelands,

they will raise up former ruins;

they will repair deserted cities,

the devastation of past generation

Great Lord God, we thank You for the many ways in which we thank You for the many ways in which You bless us at the turn of each year. You enrich our lives through celebration and festivity, through love and friendship, and through the all the opportunities for fellowship we have at this time of year. May we always remember Your coming amongst us with joy and gratitude, and live each year for You: AMEN

The breath of God has breathed in me, and by the grace of God, I am:

But sin has grasped my heart, the tempter’s voice has whispered;

Truth and justice have found me out, the hand of God has touched me;

Righteousness has challenged me, the scales do not show balance;

Yet grace has melted my aching heart; for Christ has already saved me!

Repentance fills my broken soul, the Spirit breathes His forgiveness;

Confession stirs within my heart, I accept the Father’s generous love;

Mercy flows throughout my veins, it is the very life-blood of my being;

And love is made God’s fruit in me, the consequence of my faith.

The breath of God has breathed in me, and by the grace of God, I am.

Prayer ideas

Today, according to the leading of the Spirit, set out your own spiritual ‘resolutions’ for the New Year.

On-going prayers

Pray for major industrial nations Pray for S. Korea, a nation of great energy, but suffering from division with the North. Pray for peace.
Pray for those who work for peace in the midst of war
Give thanks for the past year, and God’s blessings within it

The weekend Bible studies are brief (Friday and Saturday). Scroll down to read this or select the regular study (below).