“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me—because the Lord has anointed Me to preaching Good Tidings unto the meek. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound—to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God. . .to comfort all that mourn. . .to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion. . .to give unto them beauty for ashes. . .the oil of joy for mourning. . . the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. . .that they might be called Trees of Righteousness. . .the Planting of the Lord. . .that He might be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-3
Though born as a tiny, vulnerable, defenseless, totally dependent baby that night in Bethlehem, His Mission was clear and He continues to perform it even until today.
Appointed and Anointed.
Those two words definitely describe Jesus’ qualifications when He came down to this earth over 2,000 years ago. Though many deny His existence or give other meanings to His coming, God’s Word is true and “will not return unto Him void, but will accomplish the purpose for which it was intended” (Is. 55:11).
How incredibly important it is for us to remember that “the Spirit of the Lord God was upon Him.” This fact was driven home that day in the Jordan River after John had baptized Him, when “the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him and a Voice came from Heaven, which said ‘You are My beloved Son—in You I am well-pleased’” (Lk. 3:22).
Even though we cannot comprehend the Trinity (i.e., one God in three persons) and how God the Father could send His Holy Spirit upon Jesus, the Son, by faith we accept such as so. And, by faith we also believe the precious words in today’s Manna which talk of Jesus’ Mission here on earth.
Stop and slowly read those words again:
“The Lord has sent Me to preach Good Tidings unto the meek—i.e., the lowly, the down-and-out. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted. . .to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of prison to them who are bound. . .to comfort all who mourn. . .to give beauty for ashes . . .joy for mourning. . .and praise for heaviness.”
“Or, in other words,” He whispers, “to set you free from whatever enslaves you or weighs you down. I’m the true ‘Liberator of the soul’ and can do what no one else can do.
“No pills can do it. No prescriptions or potions can do it.
“Only, I, Jesus—the crucified Lamb and Risen Savior—can do it.
“I came to set you free. Trust Me.”
And, why would He do this, dear Pilgrim?
So we could “be called Trees of Righteousness—the Planting of the Lord and be glorified.” Hallelujah!
Yes, Jesus was born in the manger that night so we’d no longer be bound and bitter wild roots. He came to transform us by His Grace into stately oaks of Righteousness, whose boughs (hands) are raised to Heaven, pointing others to the only One Who can set them free.
December 22, 2012
