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ITHOUT a doubt, Isaiah 61 touches both the first and the
second advent of Christ. It is no secret that Jesus quoted this passage at the
outset of His ministry, and that He stopped mid-sentence because it was not yet
time for the remainder of Isaiah's prophecy to be fulfilled (see Luke 4:17-21,
and compare it to Isaiah 61:1-2). So, Christ (the anointed One) was claiming
unequivocally that this prophecy was about Him. Jesus is the binder of broken hearts.
He is the liberator of captives. He is the leader of spiritual prison
breaks. He is the proclaimer of both acceptance for the meek and of the
coming vengeance against the proud. What a ministry Christ had and has "preaching good tidings to the
meek" (Isaiah 61:1), giving "beauty
for ashes" and "a garment
of praise in exchange for the spirit of heaviness" (Isaiah 61:3). Wow!
This Savior saves, and by Him we are saved! And, the salvation with which He
saves us is an everlasting arrangement (Isaiah 61:8). When a man receives
salvation, it is a once in a lifetime transaction with eternal blessings and benefits.
Notice the spectacular view of the salvation of Israel – and
of us, who are a wild olive branch grafted into the vine (Isaiah 61:10). Our
salvation has been affected with as much care and attention as a man or a woman
might demonstrate on their own preparations on their very wedding day. This is
wonderful beyond words.
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