These notes are offered to help you think about the challenges of God’s Word.
Use the advice on the page ‘discipleship challenges’
Whatever you read of the notes below, don’t try to follow through any more than one thing at any one time!
Topis covered by this text
- The work of the Messiah
- The fruit of redemption
- The righteousness of God’s people
Personal comments by author:
From time to time, by the very nature of what I do, I have to write about a passage such as this, which is both well known and a crucial text for the whole Bible. It is frankly difficult to try and write down succinctly all that can be said about such a passage, and when writing, I am aware that most people have strong views about what it means. I find it useful to read what others have to say about the text, and let myself be challenged by this, because it draws me away from my personal presumptions. It is my hope that somewhere in this study, the Lord will use a phrase here or there to help you find a more comprehensive understanding of this text. There is so much more for us to understand, and so much more for us to do.
Ideas for exploring discipleship
- Read Luke 4:16-20, and then read this passage again. What does this tell us about Jesus’ ministry, and what does it tell you about His call upon your life, and about the call of God’s people the church?
- Pray for all who are bound in sin and also those in any bondage which is not their fault. Ask the Lord to help you find ways to put this liberating message of Isaiah 61:1-4 into practice.
Place Your Spirit in our hearts, Lord Jesus Christ.; for You alone can guide us to be fruitful in Your Kingdom. Make us joyful and glad to be your servants, and bless us as we put our every effort into doing what You would have us do, for the glory of Your name: AMEN
Use these for group work, or to assist your personal reflection.
- From your study of this text, write down a list in your own words, of what the Gospel work of redemption involves, and share this with your group.
- How is God’s judgement seen in the world today, and how is His favour shown? Discuss examples of this.
- What can people do to build up the work of God’s church and recover that which is good from the wreckage of the past?