Photography by Eradio Valverde, Jr.
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1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor 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 joy 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 splendor. 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. 8 “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” 10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. (Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 NIV Bible)
A blessed and wonderful Wednesday to you, Friend. May the joy of the season bring you peace and hope. May this time together allow us to pray for one another, for those who have asked prayers from us, and for the needs of the world.
The photo above was taken by yours truly in March, 2018 at the synagogue known as Jesus' synagogue where He on a Sabbath he took the scroll from the attendant, and read the above passages from verse 1 to 8. He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, sat at the Seat of Moses and declared the fulfillment of that had just taken place. Of course, that did not sit well with those in attendance, but in reality it had. The Messiah had read the passage talking about Him and His purpose. Boom!
We must take note of what Jesus read from Isaiah; number one that the Holy Spirit of God was upon Him. For many, that was enough to get the religious leaders upset; but the Spirit of the Lord upon the Anointed was for several reasons, all of which we must take note about. The Messias was to come and proclaim good news to the poor. The long overlooked, often ignored people of limited means, who today would be on street corners holding signs, God would share with them good news. And what were those good news? God loves them, and will even die for them. The prophet also said that the Messiah would bind up the brokenhearted. Those who were mourning, those were were grieving, those whose hearts truly ached with pain, would feel the bandages of God's love around that heart with the warmth and strength of God's presence and power. The Messiah would also proclaim freedom for the captives. Those who lived behind prison doors of their own-making; bad decisions, wrong actions, harmful words; all slammed shut with the force of never opening again; yet here is God's chosen one to say, "You're free to go! You're free to live your life once again!" Those living in darkness, blinded by the clouds of sin and mistakes, now see the Light of God breaking that darkness and see that on the other side of those once closed doors. The Anointed would also shout that this was the year of God's favor, and the day of God taking action against all who wronged us, and with Him would come comfort and peace for all who were mourning and grieving; on their heads would come the crowns of beauty not ashes; the anointing of oil of joy instead of more ashes of grief, and their sackcloths would be replaced by robes of worship and praise; off with the garments of despair. They would no longer would be seen as weeds of weakness, but now seen as mighty oaks of righteousness; God had planted them as a display for the world to see the splendor of God.
The places ruined by the wear and tear of years and by the ruthless actions of abuse and neglect, will be rebuilt by those who love God. The coming events are all part of a harvest of righteousness, a reward for faith and faithfulness towards the Lord. God loves those who love and live justice. God dislikes those who oppress others through robbery and wrongdoing; the reward from God will be for those who do right; and not only to them, but to their descendants as well. They will be known by many because of their faithfulness, and they will be known as the people of God. You and me can be the harvest of justice!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise of restoration and renewal. Help us to embrace the calling to proclaim Your good news, to bind up the brokenhearted, and to be instruments of Your healing and comfort in this world. Grant us the strength and wisdom to bring hope to the hurting and to be agents of transformation in our communities. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Live a life of justice now; bless the unblessed!
Receive my love and gratitude for God for having given me, you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
