Isaiah
61 reminds me that good news comes in many forms. Sometimes it
follows “Congratulations”; “You got the job”, “It’s a
boy”, or “You’ve been accepted”. Sometimes it soothes our
fears, “The tests came back negative”. And sometimes it changes
our future, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you!” In
today’s chapter, Isaiah shares good news with all of us as he
writes these words of hope and promise. He begins, “The
Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me… to proclaim good news to the
poor… to bind up the brokenhearted… to proclaim freedom for the
captives… and release from darkness… to proclaim the year of the
LORD’s favor“. This is the
due date, the wedding day, reunion day; the day the promise is
fulfilled. This is the moment when everything is changed forever.
He is not talking about the start of rehabilitation; he is describing
an instant when transformation is completed. He writes of the very
presence of God “to comfort all
who mourn, and provide for those who grieve“.
He describes these exchanges,
“beauty
instead of ashes… joy instead of mourning… a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair“.
Isaiah inserts a picture here for those who see much broken up
around them. Sometimes the ground must be plowed before “a
planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor“.
Everyone sees the change to those that
receive the good news, “They
will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long
devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been
devastated for generations“.
God does not want us to remain in the midst of ruin. Next he notes
that our priorities change. No longer is work and wealth our sole
pursuit, “Strangers will
shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields“.
According to Isaiah, the change will be so profound that others now
see us differently, “you will
be called priests of the LORD, you will be
named ministers of our God“.
Maybe you are thinking, “He is not talking about me”! You, who
focus on your past failure, listen, “Instead
of your shame you
will receive a double portion… you will
rejoice in your inheritance…
everlasting joy will be yours“.
Those of us that have fallen short still doubt ourselves, but God
Himself explains the difference today, “In
My faithfulness I will reward“.
We no longer have to trust in our goodness, God promised that He
will do all that is required. Do you still doubt?
Friend,
here is the proof I needed. Jesus was invited to teach in the
synagogue and after reading the beginning of this chapter, He rolled
up the scroll and declared, “Today
this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”
(Luke 4:21). Please understand that God requires perfect justice.
Jesus not only promised good news, He willingly paid the price for
our freedom on the cross. Your separation from God and your
inability to be good enough ended with these words; “It
is Finished” (John 19:30).
Jesus lived and died and rose from the dead. Do you believe He did
it for you? That, my friend, is the good news. Now you too can say
with Isaiah, “My soul rejoices
in my God. For
He has clothed me with garments of salvation“.
Congratulations, today you have heard the good news. Will you allow
Him to change your future forever? “For
as the soil makes the sprout come up…
the Sovereign LORD will
make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations“.
Today is the day of promise. Will you say “yes”?