Note:This post is part of our Online Social Justice Bible Study (click the link to see all the entries so far).
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; (Isaiah 61:1-2)
The Messiah will:
- Bring good news to the oppressed
- Bind the brokenhearted
- Proclaim liberty and release to those in bondage
- Announce Jubilee (release from debt)
- Announce the vengeance of God
- comfort those who mourn
Perhaps you are more used to seeing this passage in another book of the Bible. That is because Jesus read from this passage when he stood up in that synagogue in Nazareth and read from the scroll. Taking this passage in that context, it is interesting to notice that he said nothing about forgiving sins as a big part of his message, yet that is all we seem to have taken away from it. Here is Jesus chance to say what he is all about and, rather than talk about Hell, or abortion, or homosexuality or any of that, he instead decides to talk about things like good news to those left behind. He talks about soothing those with broken hearts. Providing relief to those who are in overwhelming debt. Liberty to those who are in bondage.
I wish we would talk more about that Jesus, instead of the one we have made up to justify what we want Jesus to be about. I do not think the Jesus we like to talk about has any good news for the poor.
Photo Credit: One