Mission Statement (Isaiah 61:1-11)

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon Me, for the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. (Isaiah 61:1 NLT)

Jesus read the first part of this verse in the synagogue one day.  Then he told everyone there that the passage had been fulfilled right there for them to see.  He was claiming to be the one with the Soverign LORD's Spirit, bringing good news to the poor.

He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.  (Isaiah 61:2-4 NLT)

When he claimed to be fulfilling this prophecy, they knew he was also saying that the day has finally come.  They didn't have to wait any longer.  God's Savior/Messiah was here.  Israel would be restored.  The captives would be set free.  He was about to bring great blessing rather than mourning.  He would revive the people of Israel after all these generations.

Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. (Isaiah 61:5-7 NLT)

They will stop being mocked and looked down upon by the nations.  Now they will be exalted because the LORD, which they serve as ministers, is God.  Everyone will look up to them because they finally recognize the LORD as God.

"For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward My people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the LORD has blessed." (Isaiah 61:8-9 NLT)

Israel would finally be seen in a positive light.  God's chosen people would be rewarded for their suffering.  They will finally be known again as the people the LORD has blessed.  Those blessings would come through His Savior/Messiah.  Jesus was claiming to be that one.

I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. The Sovereign LORD will show His justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise Him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.  (Isaiah 61:10-11 NLT)

Justice is about balancing the scales.  When someone steals a dollar, then justice would be returning the dollar to the one who had it stolen.  When someone rebels against God, justice would be stopping the rebellion with death.  When Jesus died, God's justice was shown to the world.  Sin was paid for with death.  We praise Him, though, because he allowed the Savior/Messiah's death to count as punishment for our rebellion.  Jesus was claiming to be this Savior/Messiah and saying he was the one whom God would clothe with salvation and righteousness.

What about you?  Do you see, now, that Jesus fulfilled all these (and many more) prophecies about the Savior/Messiah?  Do you believe His death can pay the price for your rebellion against God?  Have you asked Him to pay the bill?  Is He your Savior?

Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

See, My Servant will prosper; He will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw Him. His face was so disfigured He seemed hardly human, and from His appearance, one would scarcely know He was a man. And He will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in His presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about. (Isaiah 52:13-15 NLT)

It's easy to get excited about a Savior/Messiah who will be a mighty warrior and powerful King who brings peace to all nations.  It's also easy to get excited about this Savior/Messiah helping the helpless and oppressed.  It's not so exciting when we read prophecies about this Savior/Messiah hardly seeming human in appearance because he is disfigured.

Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed His powerful arm? My Servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance, nothing to attract us to Him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for His own sins! But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:1-5 NLT)

It becomes a bitter-sweet sorrow when we see why He is disfigured.  He was a normal person until he was despised and rejected.  This man of sorrows would be disfigured, pierced, and crushed.  On the surface, it would look like God is punishing him for something he did wrong.  His beatings, however, were not for his own rebellion.  They were for ours.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on Him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet He never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, He did not open His mouth. Unjustly condemned, He was led away. No one cared that He died without descendants, that His life was cut short in midstream. But He was struck down for the rebellion of My people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But He was buried like a criminal; He was put in a rich man's grave. But it was the LORD's good plan to crush Him and cause Him grief. Yet when His life is made an offering for sin, He will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's good plan will prosper in His hands. (Isaiah 53:6-10 NLT)

The hope we have, however, is that this Savior/Messiah does not stay dead.  He dies without descendants with a life cut short.  He was struck down for our rebellion even though he never sinned.  He was buried like a criminal in a rich man's grave.  Yet he will "enjoy a long life" fulfilling God's plan.  When He dies for us, He does not stay dead.  He will live and complete the rest of God's plan.

When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of His experience, My righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins. I will give Him the honors of a victorious soldier, because He exposed Himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. (Isaiah 53:11-12 NLT)

His death was a part of God's plan - the part that paid the price for our rebellion.  It is by His death that we are forgiven of our sins.  It is by His life (and Spirit) that we are set free from captivity.  Jesus is the only one who fulfilled all the prophecies of the Savior/Messiah.  This is why we turn to Him to be forgive and set free.

What about you?  Have you turned to Him to be forgiven through His death?  Have you turned to Him to be set free from the captivity of temptation and sin?  Do you trust Jesus?

Chosen Servant (Isaiah 42:1-9)

"Look at My Servant, whom I strengthen. He is My Chosen One, who pleases Me. I have put My Spirit upon Him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise His voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for His instruction. " (Isaiah 42:1-4 NLT)

God did not put His Spirit on everyone back in the day.  Only people who had a specific role that required His Spirit, like Prophets or Warrior/Kings, were given His Spirit.  The Messiah/Savior would be given His Spirit as well.  This Savior would not bring justice only to Israel.  He would bring justice to all nations.  Not only that, he will defend those who are weak, defenseless, and being oppressed.  He will do this for all nations - even lands distant from Israel.  He would help everyone.

God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. And it is He who says, "I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate My righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to My people, Israel, as a symbol of My covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons. (Isaiah 42:5-7 NLT)

This same Savior/Messiah will be guarded by God as he is being a light to all nations.  He will open the eyes of the blind, free captives from prison, and release those who sit in dark dungeons.  He will do this with the power of God because His Spirit rests on this Savior/Messiah.  God created the heavens and the earth and gives breath and life to everyone.  He can do anything.  His chosen Savior/Messiah, can do anything, too.

"I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not give My glory to anyone else, nor share My praise with carved idols. Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens." (Isaiah 42:8-9 NLT)

Today, we are offered His Spirit as well.  When we believe in His Savior/Messiah, repent of our sins, confess Him as our Lord, and go into the waters of baptism, we are not just forgiven of sin.  We are set free from the captivity of sin.  This freedom comes from the power of God.  It comes from His Spirit given to us, just as it was given to His Savior/Messiah.  We have the same power Jesus had.

How about you?  Do you believe Jesus is the Savior/Messiah?  Have you repented of your sin and confessed Him as your Lord?  Have you gone down into the waters of baptism?  Do you have the power of His Spirit dwelling within you?  Do you walk by His Spirit, allowing Him to set you free?

Hope for the Future (Isaiah 9:1-8)

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. (Isaiah 9:1 NLT)

The tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali were at the far northern tip of the twelve tribes of Israel.  They would be the first tribes to go into captivity.  The same land that was occupied by Israel's two tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali would be taken over by their enemies.  These enemies, Gentiles, would rename the area "Galilee."  As they fall, however, God offers them hope.  Some day, Galilee will be filled with glory.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For You will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor's rod, just as You did when You destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. (Isaiah 9:2-5 NLT)

The people who defeated Israel will, themselves, be defeated.  God will win this war.  Not just Zebulun and Naphtali will be set free, but all of Israel will find themselves set free from slavery.  It will all happen in Galilee, the land the Gentiles had taken over.  That is where a "great light" will shine.

For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen! (Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT)

When this child is born, everyone can celebrate.  Slavery for the Israelites will be no more.  This mighty warrior will lead God's armies against His enemies.  He will not only be a child - a son - but a warrior and ruler.  The government will become his.  He will not only be a wonderful counselor, but He will be God Himself - bringing peace to Israel.

The Lord has spoken out against Jacob; His judgment has fallen upon Israel. (Isaiah 9:8 NLT)

We often hear (and possibly sing) these promises every Christmas, but do you see when this promise was given to Israel?  God was promising them a savior, a warrior, and a king who would bring peace at the same time He was telling them that they were about to get attacked and defeated right now.  Defeat would happen today.  Salvation would come tomorrow.  Take hope.

What about you?  Do you take hope when you feel defeated today?  Do you trust God's promises to bring you salvation and peace?  Do you trust God, even in the storms of life?  Is Jesus your Savior, Mighty Warrior, and King who brings peace?

God with Us (Isaiah 7:1-25)

When Ahaz, son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, set out to attack Jerusalem. However, they were unable to carry out their plan. The news had come to the royal court of Judah: "Syria is allied with Israel against us!" So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm. Then the LORD said to Isaiah, "Take your son Shear-jashub and go out to meet King Ahaz. You will find him at the end of the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool, near the road leading to the field where cloth is washed. Tell him to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn'need to fear the fierce anger of those two burned-out embers, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah. Yes, the kings of Syria and Israel are plotting against him, saying, 'We will attack Judah and capture it for ourselves. Then we will install the son of Tabeel as Judah's king.' But this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "This invasion will never happen; it will never take place; for Syria is no stronger than its capital, Damascus, and Damascus is no stronger than its king, Rezin. As for Israel, within sixty-five years it will be crushed and completely destroyed. Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm." (Isaiah 7:1-9 NLT)

God's chosen people had fallen far from the glory of God.  They were in the promised land, to be sure, but their walk with God had deteriorated more and more every year.  Eventually, the tribes split and began fighting against one another.  The tribes in the North (Israel) were no longer joined together with the tribes in the South (Judah).  The northern tribes were living a life of sin, so God wasn't with them anymore.  They thought they were going to attack the south and win, but God had a different plan.

Later, the LORD sent this message to King Ahaz: "Ask the LORD your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead. " But the king refused. "No," he said, "I will not test the LORD like that." Then Isaiah said, "Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn't it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord Himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a Child! She will give birth to a Son and will call Him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us'). By the time this Child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, He will be eating yogurt and honey. (Isaiah 7:10-15 NLT)

God took this moment to tell the king of Judah about the far-off future.  He wasn't just going to save Judah in the short-term.  God was also laying out more details about His plans for the long-term.  God told us about the Savior, being born of a virgin girl.  God was going to make it clear who our Savior would be.

For before the Child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted. "Then the LORD will bring things on you, your nation, and your family unlike anything since Israel broke away from Judah. He will bring the king of Assyria upon you!" In that day the LORD will whistle for the army of southern Egypt and for the army of Assyria. They will swarm around you like flies and bees. They will come in vast hordes and settle in the fertile areas and also in the desolate valleys, caves, and thorny places. In that day the Lord will hire a "razor" from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—and use it to shave off everything: your land, your crops, and your people. In that day a farmer will be fortunate to have a cow and two sheep or goats left. Nevertheless, there will be enough milk for everyone because so few people will be left in the land. They will eat their fill of yogurt and honey. In that day the lush vineyards, now worth 1,000 pieces of silver, will become patches of briers and thorns. The entire land will become a vast expanse of briers and thorns, a hunting ground overrun by wildlife. No one will go to the fertile hillsides where the gardens once grew, for briers and thorns will cover them. Cattle, sheep, and goats will graze there. (Isaiah 7:16-25 NLT)

Not only does God tell us how the Savior will come (through a virgin), but He also tells us when the Savior will come as well.  The northern tribe, Israel, will be destroyed and the land will become a wasteland first.  Not only that, the same thing will happen to Syria as well.  It will be a little while still before the Savior comes, but for Isaiah and the people of his day, it was well worth the wait.

How about you?  Do you trust God to save you from your enemies?  Are you living a life walking together with God (like the southern tribe of Judah) so that He will save you from your enemies?  Are you drawing close to God your savior?