The Essential Jesus (Part 6): More Prophecies About a Saviorنموونە

Mission Statement

PRAY: Lord, I sometimes think too much about the glass being half empty. I pray that you would open my eyes to the good things you are doing in my life and the world today.

READ: Isaiah 61:1-11

REFLECT: It's about time for some good news! After all the gloom, doom and suffering described by the prophets so far, it's nice to read about freedom, comfort and a time of "the LORD's favor" (v. 2). Ah–now that feels better.

But this is much more than a feel-good passage; it gives us a vision for the restoration of God's people. The really good news in these verses is that God never abandons his people. As we've discovered, the Israelites had been attacked and taken captive by powerful nations around them. Their key city and temple had been destroyed. And all of it happened because they had sinned against God. But here, Isaiah describes a time when everything would be put right and the Israelites' despair would be turned to praise (v.3).

This underscores two aspects of God's character. First, he is a God of hope. Regardless of what we've done, and regardless of what messes we make of our lives, with God we can have a fresh start and a new future. That doesn't mean all our trials will magically go away; some problems take years to be resolved, some never completely disappear. But even so, God is always at work for our ultimate good (Jeremiah 29:11-13; Romans 8:28), as he was for the Israelites. A second aspect of God's character is that he passionately loves justice and hates sin (v. 8). The surest way to experience God's blessing is to be passionate about his priorities.

This passage had special significance for Jesus; he used it as the mission statement for his life on earth. Near the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus stood and read this passage in the temple, boldly claiming that he had fulfilled its words (Luke 4:14-21). Jesus understood that he came to offer God's forgiveness and hope to those held captive to sin and to bring God's justice to the poor and oppressed. That's the good news!

APPLY: How would you describe the mission statement for your life? If you can, take a few minutes to write it down.

PRAY: God, I want my life to count for you. Please help me to see clearly the mission you've called me to, and fill me with your Spirit to accomplish it.

Discussion Questions for "More Prophecies About a Savior"

1. For you, which of the prophecies in this section is the most significant proof that Jesus was the Messiah? Why?
2. The people of Israel felt the pressure of hostile armies on all sides; Jesus felt the pressure of being opposed and crucified. What pressures do you face for your beliefs, and how do you cope?
3. Have you ever felt that God has abandoned you? When? Do you ever feel that God is with you? When?
4. What tempts you to give up hope for the future? What things give you the most hope for the future?
5. Jesus said he came to bring good news to the poor, the prisoners, the blind and the oppressed. How could you be more like Jesus in this regard?
6. Why do you suppose it was necessary for Jesus to go through such incredible suffering?
7. Jesus seemed to claim the passage in Isaiah 61 as his personal mission statement. What's yours? (You may want to share your notes from reading 30.)

The Essential Jesus (Part 7): The Birth of Jesus

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