The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. – Isaiah 61:1
Isaiah was an artist with words. This prophet often painted eloquently as he foretold the future of Israel and Judah and the downfall of Gentile nations. Many of his predictions regarding the nations have been fulfilled. Isaiah, whose name means “The Lord is salvation,” is often called “the evangelical prophet” because he says more about the coming of the Messiah and the redemptive work of Jesus than any other book in the Old Testament.
During his lifetime, Isaiah spoke to the Jews who were in exile from their homeland after Assyria conquered their kingdom. Bound by this vicious captor, God’s weary people thought the Almighty had forgotten them. Then Isaiah spoke the prophecy in chapter 61 and offered hope for the future into that seemingly hopeless situation. The prophet encouraged the people of Israel to look not at their current circumstances but toward the glorious future He had promised them, a future of good news, healing, and freedom.
Many people today are prisoners in Satan’s kingdom. They are hopeless because they don’t know Jesus as their Savior. They live in a cycle of despair and depression. However, just like Isaiah, Christians have the awesome privilege and responsibility of offering them true hope.
The Lord has anointed you to proclaim the good news. As a follower of Christ, help others throw away their prison clothes and put on the robe of righteousness. During this season many are feeling distraught and confused. Help rescue them with the ultimate freedom found only in a relationship with the Messiah. As you do, pray that Christians would reach out to national and local leaders with the hope of the gospel.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 61:1
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 brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:14-20
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 brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
