January 7th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

A New Era of Hope

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Opening Prayer

Reigning Lord, I need attentive ears, a responsive heart, and receiving hands. Feed me today with a clear word from Your Word.

Read ISAIAH 61:1-11

[1] The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [2] to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, [3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. [4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. [5] Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. [6] And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. [7] Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. [8] “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them. [9] Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” [10] I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. [11] For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness…” (Isa. 61:10).

Think Further

Today’s passage is truly glorious and worth reading slowly several times. Such rich, full words, packed with promise and encouragement! We are introduced to someone of quite extraordinary importance with tremendous authority and grace, the Anointed One. The common themes here are transformation and blessing with no area of life left untouched. Ruined buildings and cities will be rebuilt (4), the people of God will experience new depths of joy (3,7), and evidence of God’s blessing upon them will be known to all (9,11).

The chapter begins with a speech by the Servant-Messiah (1-6), followed by a confirming speech by the Lord himself (7-9), and finally by a song of praise by someone who is full of wonder and gratitude for what God has done for them personally (10,11). The references to the “Sovereign Lord” (1,11) frame the whole; the salvation which the chapter celebrates is his gift. Two starkly contrasting realities are proclaimed in “the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God” (2), yet the latter part is excluded by Jesus when he quotes this passage in his inaugural speech in the synagogue (Luke 4:17-19). In doing so, he expressed his understanding of his mission at that point: not to condemn but to save the world (John 3:17), although he has also the responsibility to execute judgment where the good news is ignored.

Both Isaiah and Jesus make it clear that things are going to change, totally and radically. This is good news for God’s people, for the whole world, and for those who are poor, broken-hearted, captive to sin, and experiencing oppression. Is this not worth celebrating and sharing with others?

Apply

Think about the issues in your friends’ lives. How might Isaiah’s good news be translated into contemporary terms that could bring them hope?

Closing prayer

Risen Lord Jesus, I am reminded that You make all things new. I long for You to renew my life and my world.

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