A Life in Exile

From the beginning, God’s intent for mankind was to live in perfect unity with his Creator. Sin messed all that up, and though the Lord provided guidelines for his people to help them live according to his way, they failed. This did not stop him from speaking through his prophets to remind his people of their purpose and of his desire for them to live in perfect unity with him.

When they failed, even in simple directives like fasting, God continued, in his mercy, to call them to that higher purpose.

Isn’t this the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to ignore your own flesh and blood? Then your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:6-8 CSB)

Their calling was his calling.

The words of God through Isaiah, in relation to fasting were a reflection of the life of humility and obedience that the Israelites had failed to heed in previous generations. If they could not get there by following the Law, then God would have to intervene. This was his plan from the beginning, knowing the Law was unable to save and bring the righteousness required to restore mankind to the pre-Fall state.

This is why we see in just a few chapters later the prophetic words of the anointed One to come. Look at the similarities in the two passages.

The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify him. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Good news was coming for all who were poor in spirit. The anointed One would heal broken hearts, free captives of the bonds of sin, proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day when God would take vengeance on his enemies. Those who are mourning in Zion will be comforted, and a new crown, oil, and clothes of beauty will be given after years of living in the ashes of war and destruction. His righteousness will become their righteousness to the glory of God the Father.

He fulfilled his calling.

These passages of calling and hope lead us to our New Testament fulfillment of those words. Jesus was in his hometown, Nazareth. This is where he was brought up, where people knew him as a kid, a teenager, and a young carpenter following in his father’s footsteps. No wonder they were shocked when he spoke after reading the Isaiah 61 passage.

He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.” They were all speaking well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from his mouth; yet they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:20-22)

“This Scripture has been fulfilled.” How? By standing before them as The Anointed One—The Messiah. God’s Spirit was on Jesus. He was preaching good news to the poor. He proclaimed release to the captives. He recovered the sight of the blind. He set free the oppressed, and let them know God’s favor was made available through faith in him.

When Jesus prepared to return to the Father, he told his followers that with the authority given him they were to go and make disciples, and teach them to observe everything that he had commanded him (Matthew 28:18-20). How would they do that? By the same Spirit that was clearly on him. He would come on all who believed in him.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

We have the same Spirit and the same message. It’s good news to the poor, release for the captives, and freedom for the oppressed. May we proclaim it and live it to the glory of God the Father.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Learning from the Past post, click HERE, or start the series from the BEGINNING.