CHARACTER REAPS FRUIT - THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOUR
We are called to be disciples who are to carry out the great commission that Jesus gave to His church. Knowing the Bible is very important to build ourselves up to be active and effective believers. However, it is also important, with that knowledge, for Christians to look at the fruit Godly character needs to produce in our lives:
Isa 61:1-6 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
The theme of this passage is “The Year of the Lord’s Favour.” When we become Christians, we receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit and His authority to do everything He has called us to do. But, what does this passage show us about the call that God has placed on our lives?
1. ANOINTING
Let us look at what is meant by anointing:
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
The purpose of anointing is to enable us to speak of the Good News about Jesus Christ. This is our only call from Jesus Himself and it works out in our lives in different ways ... but ultimately, we are all witnesses:
Mat 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Anointing is being set apart for a purpose; God makes me able ... but, it is my choice if I obey and go (Matt 28:19).
2. RESULT OF THE ANOINTING
The outworking is spelt out in the second part of verse 1:
Isa 61:1-3 “... He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
The anointing is so that the Lord can send me to:
* Bind up wounds or the broken-hearted/the crushed
* Proclaim freedom, liberty, release from darkness of the captives (those taken away), the prisoners
* Bring comfort to all who mourn
* Provide care and consolation to those who grieve/mourn in Zion
* Bestow a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of ashes, a garment of praise instead of
a spirit of despair on those to whom you go
a. BIND UP
First, we deal with those who have been wounded, sometimes severely; those who are crushed and smashed. The word itself for ‘bind-up’ is used for bandaging wounds, especially life-threatening wounds by someone regarded as a healer. ‘Broken-hearted’ is indicative of 2 things: spiritual and emotional injuries; and, those who are indeed touched by their own sin and their need for Jesus Christ. We need to be equally conscious about the need to bring someone to acknowledge their sin, as well as helping them with their emotional difficulties.
b. PROCLAIM
When we lift others out of their broken state, we can proclaim freedom to them. ‘Proclaim’ here is used in the sense of stopping someone you have gone out specifically to meet, to say something to him/her – it is not a random or general act, but a specific one of going to the person:
* Remember we speak complete liberty - the total absence of captivity - to those who have been ‘taken away’ (‘captives’). The ‘Enemy’ or some person has taken them away from their prime direction, the Cross of Jesus Christ. The principal language used here focuses on a description of deliverance from the control of Sin and from the fear of Death and Hell (Matt 28:18+)
* We then proclaim, ‘release from darkness,’ which is the ‘opening up of the prison door’ to those that are ‘put in bonds.’ The bonds are those that: sin and the passive, or active, rebellion against God brings; many things bind us.
* Following this we are to proclaim “... the acceptable year of our God.” An ‘acceptable year’ could be regarded as a year of jubilee, during which God is pleased to show His favour to mankind. One such example is shown in Gal 4:4 “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law ....” Other examples are His bodily return, or His gift of Revival etc.
However, this is only half of the proclamation. It concludes with “... and the day of vengeance of our God;” This looks strange to Western minds, but remember that when God delivers His church, He will, at that time, punish His enemies, chiefly satan, sin and death -- you need to know it! The enemies of God will suffer – remember we used to be among them!
Please note! In these last 2 points, the grace of God is shown in the ‘acceptable year’, whereas the vengeance of God is only a single day … that’s mercy!
c. BRING COMFORT
We are commanded to “... bring comfort to all who mourn.” It is necessary to first go to them, then stay in close contact, committing that time we might want to use to relax, or do something for ourselves. Yet remember we have received the ‘Comforter.’ How much time does God spend with us? He is there day and night. When there is one who truly mourns over his life/state before God; no matter what we wish to do, then determine to bring that God-given help. Note: the theme of repentance is very strong in this passage; and it speaks about people who want to do business with God, not to sinners in general … we have limited resources, especially of time.
d. NOW GIVE
Isa 61:3 “... give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
* ‘Ashes’ represents mourning for those that die; ‘Beauty’ represents rejoicing - more common with the joy of a new life coming … new life of Christ (John 3:3,5,16,17)
* The ‘oil of joy’ refers to perfumed ointment put on guests at joyous feasts. On occasions of grief (mourning), its use was stopped. God, however, calls us to give the ‘oil of joy,’ for mourning is over ... now is the acceptable year of the Lord:
2 Cor 6:2 For he says, "In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation.
* Additionally, we are also to replace the sackcloth of despondency, with the multi-coloured, unmistakable garment of thankfulness. As we praise, we lift our eyes from our problems and up to the one who saves!
* We give, so that those with whom we share may be helped by the Lord. Indeed, the picture of trees (oaks = strong tree) reflects strength, firmness, being well rooted and fully grafted into Jesus Christ.
