Every Good Gift: A 28-Day Advent DevotionalSample

Imagine this scene: Jesus, who has just had a profound spiritual experience of being tempted in the desert for 40 days, returns to his hometown synagogue just as his public profile is rising. The time has come—30 years after that good news of great joy was first declared, Jesus is finally beginning his public ministry of peace, liberation and reconciliation. 

What would it look like? Who would be at the centre of his cause? What would be his top priorities?

Jesus stands up in the synagogue to read from Scripture. What words would he choose to launch and set the tone for his public ministry? Imagine people leaning in as he started to read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me…”

Right, yes, okay. Imagine heads nodding eagerly.

“….because he has anointed me…”

Indeed, people were expecting a powerful King to conquer and topple the oppressive Roman empire.

“…to preach good news…”

Yes! Imagine the gathered group continuing to nod eagerly. What good news? Perhaps, good news that it was time to fight, to woo the influence of powerful people, to amass privilege and wealth. 

“…to the poor.”

Wait, what? To the poor? 

Still today, those words are as amazing, surprising, upside-down and transformative as they were when Isaiah first wrote them and Jesus first read them aloud.

The good news of Jesus is good news to the poor. It is freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind and liberation for the oppressed. 

Think about what the good news is in your life. Is it good news to the poor? Is it bringing peace, healing and freedom in a violent, hurting and unjust world?

Today, the Spirit of the Lord is on each of us who follow Jesus, empowering us to further this good news message of peace, liberation and reconciliation.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for the radical example You set for us through Your life and ministry of what it looks like to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, healing for the sick and liberation for the oppressed. Holy Spirit, help us reflect on what the good news looks like in our lives today and open our eyes to the opportunities all around us to bring it to life in tangible ways, particularly for those who are most vulnerable in our world. Amen.