Alive with God
Today we conclude our little series of articles on the Holy Spirit. We turn to Isaiah 61. It is a magnificent chapter in a monumental book.
The book’s first section (chapters 1-39) deals with the annihilation of the 10 northern tribes in 720 BC. The middle section of the book (chapters 40-55) often called DeuteroIsaiah is set in the period of the Babylonian captivity (587-537 BC).
While the third and final section of the book (chapters 56-66), often called Trito-Isaiah, deals with the remnant of the Jewish nation after the Babylonian captivity. AFTER THE EXILE The Babylonian captivity, or Exile, radically changed the Jewish nation. Before the Exile they were an independent nation with military power and a political place among the other neighbouring nations. Supremely they jealously maintained their belief in the one and only true God.
After the Exile, they retained no military strength nor political power and were subjected to perpetual foreign rule. Their city was in ruins and their temple destroyed.
Trito-Isaiah (chapters 56-66) reflects their sense of doom and failure This sense of desolation was so deep that the prophet felt that the people had entirely lost sight of God.
“I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me. I said:“Here am I to a nation that did not call on me”(Isaiah 65.1). God’s plea to his people is so poignant and heart-rending. THE HEART OF COURAGE But in this unpromising time a prophetic message sounded forth echoing an encouraging message to this demoralised people.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me”(Isaiah 61.1). This chapter resonates with a great declaration of God’s intention for his battered nation. Folks, read the entire chapter, you will find it so encouraging.
While the opening verse shines with a lofty grandeur.“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, he has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and vengeance to comfort all who mourn”(Isaiah 61.1). JESUS The Early Church seized upon these words to describe the life and ministry of Jesus. This passage is mirrored in the gospel description of Jesus’ministry.
Jesus told the disciples of John the Baptist:“Go tell John what you see and hear, the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up and the poor have good news preached to them”(Matthew 11.4-6). The Early Church declared that Isaiah 61 was fulfilled in Jesus. JESUS’BAPTISM But start at the very beginning of Jesus’ministry. Jesus was baptised among the people by John in the river Jordan.
By succumbing to be baptised with them, Jesus identified himself with the people, with their trials and tribulations, their joys and sorrows, their hopes and dreams.
After he had been baptised, the Holy Spirit came to Jesus. “Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending upon him”(Matthew 3. 13-17). The Spirit of the Lord now resting in the heart and soul of our Saviour. GOD’S BLESSING With the coming of the Pentecostal Spirit to his people Jesus shares with us God’s blessings.
Dear people, you live in the inner strength of the Spirit. The Spirit takes you by the hand and leads you to Jesus. Jesus in the Spirit encourages you when low, heals you when wounded, protects you when tempted. The words of Scripture come alive when the light of Jesus illuminates them.
The message of the gospel is real when the finger of Jesus highlights the gospel’s meaning.
The means of grace fill your soul. In your eyes you see the vision of God’s kingdom, in your heart you worship Jesus the King of that kingdom, in your life you work to build that kingdom.
All because Jesus shares his life with you through his Spirit-filled presence.
All because God the Father blesses you with an eternal blessing found in His Son and brought to you by the Spirit. Enjoy living in Jesus’presence, in the Father’s love and in the Spirit’s blessing.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all”(2 Corinthians 13.14).