May 6, 2019
Isaiah 61:1-3                  
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim 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,[a]
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    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.

New International Version (NIV)
               Our church and our friends have been so kind to us in this time of grief over the death of Melanie’s dad, Jim Freeman.  What would we do without God’s people?  Who comforts those who mourn?  Years ago I heard about an elderly woman who lost her husband.  A little girl who was their neighbor went to visit with her.  When she came home her mother asked her, “What did you say?"  “Nothing,” she answered, “I just cried with her.” 

                The second part of Isaiah’s prophecy begins with, “Comfort, comfort my people.”  As he comes to chapter 61, Isaiah envisions the fulfillment of the year of jubilee.  Every fifty years all slaves were to be set free and all land was to return to its original owner.  Scholars say we have no record of Israel actually practicing what Moses commanded.

                Jesus took these very words and embodied the Jubilee.  He read this passage at the synagogue in Nazareth to define his own ministry (Luke 4).  After he ascended he sent the Spirit.  So now every believer may assume this mission:  The Spirit of the Lord God is on us.  We bring good news, we heal the brokenhearted.  In the Spirit we proclaim liberty to the captives. 

                How do we know we have grown up as disciples of Jesus?  We become Oaks of Righteousness, planted to display God’s splendor.  Melanie’s dad was a pillar in his church, Memorial Baptist in Temple.  So was his wife Jo.  The generations roll forward.  It is our turn to stand strong in our church.  God comforts us so that we may comfort each other.  So as one of my friends who is facing a trial reminded me, “We are joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.”  Yes we are.
Pray with me:    
Merciful Father, God of all comfort, comfort us in all or our troubles today so that we may comfort each other.  We pray it in Jesus’ name.  Amen.           
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 

About Duane Archives
Subscribe to our email list.