My Grownup Christmas List: A Real Freedom
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Freedom from _____________________ slavery.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the afflicted. He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for those who are bound, (Is 61:1)
1 A shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Is 11:1–2)
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. I am placing my Spirit on him. He will announce a just verdict for the nations. (Is 42:1)
In those days and at that time, I will cause a righteous Branch to grow up from David’s line. He will establish justice and righteousness on earth. (Je 33:15)
He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Lk 4:21)
אֲדֹנָי is normally translated "Lord" except when it is used in the expression אֲדֹנָי יְהוָה where is translated “God.” This is a name for God that express his ___________________, _______________________, and ____________.
יְהוָה (Yahweh: Jehovah) which is translated “Lord,” is God’s personal name that stresses __________________________ to his _______ and _____________.
The Hebrew word מָשִׁיחַ (mā·šîaḥ) means "anointed one." It refers to a _____________ _____________, distinguished by anointing with oil. Prophets and even Cyrus, king of Persia, were titled this way (1 Ch 16:22; Is 45:1). However, it is most commonly used of kings Saul and David in 1 Sam and 2 Sam. It became a term that referred to the _____________ ______________, _________ _________________ who would be our perfect prophet, priest, and king.
No, it is your guilt that has separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden God’s face from you, so that he does not hear. (Is 59:2)
Look, darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness covers the peoples, but the Lord will dawn upon you, and his glory will be seen over you. (Is 60:2)
Our lives are often a series of episodes of mourning and grief. Moments of happiness and joy pass all too quickly, and we mourn another loss or another failure. Lives are often filled with greed, jealousy, pride, lust, envy, hatred, and anger. At the end of human life stands death—inescapable, dark, and undeniable. All humans are heirs to such conditions because of their own sins.
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance for our God, (Is 61:2a)
Say to them, “As I live, declares the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from their way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why should you die, O house of Israel?” (Eze 33:11)
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Freedom to ___________ the Lord.
2b to comfort all who mourn, 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a faint spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord to display his beauty. (Is 61:2b, 3)
The person who has been given faith is fresh, strong, and euphoric in the salvation that by the grace of God is theirs.
As for your people, all of them will be righteous. They will inherit the earth forever. They are shoots I have planted, the work of my hands, to display my beauty. (Is 60:21)
Points to Ponder
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What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
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Read Isaiah 61:1-3. As you read, pay attention to the ways the Scriptures describe the work God is going to do through his Anointed One. What stands out to you?
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Jesus did not include the vengeance mentioned in this prophecy when, in Nazareth, he declared the year of the Lord’s favor (Lk 4:18–19). Why do you think he left that out?
