Isaiah 61:1

This might just be my favorite passage in the entire Bible.

This is the same passage that Jesus read from the scroll as he began his earthly ministry. He is in his hometown and he is asked to read, so he reads this passage and states, "Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Mic Drop.

Then they tried to kill him. (See Luke 4:14-30).

My number one life goal has been to be a follower of Christ. It is my primary identity. So I need to pay close attention to what Jesus said his mission statement was, because as his follower, it is now my mission statement too.

Verse 1: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me." First and foremost we need to understand that the Holy Spirit is with us and is the force that empowers us for all good works. We can do nothing apart from the Spirit.

"Anointed me," this is a representation of a divine calling to a higher office, it is seen in scripture as anointing kings and priests.

"Bring Good News to the poor, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom for the prisoners." Wow, when was the last time we shared the gospel message to a poor soul that is living a life without Jesus Christ? How about sitting and listening to what breaks someone else's heart and being Jesus with skin on for them, in that moment? How about the untouchables in our modern society, those battling addictions, overcoming abuse, trying to live a life with PTSD, have we been able to proclaim freedom and liberty to those very people that need to know there is another way to live? That they do not need to live in the past, in regret, in pain? What about actual prisoners, people that have committed crimes or been wrongfully convicted? Are we sharing with them the Good News that they too can be a new creation in Christ, because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? Can we relate to them as human beings that have the potential to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, just like we have been?

I presented these as questions because it is what I ask myself. This is what Jesus said he was doing, am I doing it too? I am called to be an ambassador for Christ, to be a representative of His will and for His glory. If this was my primary focus, I would not have time for anything else. Just this one verse is a full-time job and noble and high calling.

I will be continuing through the rest of Isaiah 61 over the coming weeks, verse by verse. Please check back soon!