isaiah 61
by Elizabeth DeBarros
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 brokenhearted
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
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 splendor.
– Isaiah 61:1-3
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The ministry of Jesus — buttoned-down or messy?
Luke’s gospel says all eyes were upon Him in the temple as He read from the scroll of Isaiah. Six verses later, the hush of admiration turned to fury.
Why?
Jesus didn’t hide behind the pulpit. He knew His coming would challenge the status quo. And thin religion doesn’t last long in the presence of God.
When He walked the dusty roads of Israel, Jesus sought out the individual, one person at a time. He discerned the need, made right judgments. No waste of words. While candor worked with tree-climbing Zacchaeus, Nicodemus was given a late night pop quiz. And in the house of a hawk-eyed Pharisee, He seemingly went too far by allowing a sinful woman to pour perfume on His feet.
Kingdom living is often just a step away from scandal.
What we read in Scripture was never intended to be intellectually curated for a theological museum piece. At some point, our hermeneutics must make the transfer from theory to practice. Taking up the towel is the call of every disciple, from the least to the greatest, from first to last.
And here’s where it might get a little messy: A servant must be willing to set aside some things, starting with his reputation.
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.
This is how we know we are in him:
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
– 1 John 2:5-6
Dearest Elizabeth — you have no idea how this little devotional has just strengthened my heart! Thank you!!! I’m shaking like a leaf for Friday night — the launch date for our Young Women’s Ministry and your post here has encouraged me so much! There are so many insights to meditate on in your post — and I will be doing so all week, but this one in particular just struck me: “When He walked the dusty roads of Israel, Jesus sought out the individual, one person at a time.” Thank you Elizabeth! I love you dear sister and thank God for you!
Perfect timing, once again, as usual. I, too, hear the words ever so clearly “When He walked the dusty roads of Israel, Jesus sought out the individual, one person at a time.” That’s it. One person at a time. One heart at a time will be transformed by His Sovereign hand. I am walking this chapter and verse as He reveals the mysteries and Truth becomes established in me. Thank you for this post. Manna for today!
This was a blessing to read, Elizabeth! I love this scripture and you are so right…servanthood is a messy thing…but oh, so rewarding. If we will first put aside “ourselves”, our goals, our projects and seek to serve Him by serving others, our lives will be far richer. Thank you for these words!
Full of wisdom and insight! Thank you so much for this call to action, this call to be “oaks of righteousness”, this godly exhortation. It strikes me that in order to truly walk as Jesus walked, and to know how to approach each situation we come across, we need to be crying out to Him for insight, understanding and wisdom, and His word promises that when we do, “The LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Prov 2:6). Merciful God!
What a refreshing post, Elizabeth. We can get so caught up in trying to discover how many angels can dance on the head of a pin that we often lose sight of the down and dirty shoe leather walk of faith Christ has called us to.
As Bob Cratchit would say, “Another triumph, my dear.”
“What we read in Scripture was never intended to be intellectually curated for a theological museum piece. At some point, our hermeneutics must make the transfer from theory to practice. Taking up the towel is the call of every disciple, from the least to the greatest, from first to last.”
“And here’s where it might get a little messy: A servant must first be willing to set aside some things.”
Are we REALLY ready to set aside some things? This is the practicality that I was speaking of when I said that it’s one thing to talk about having eternal perspective and priorities, it’s another to make them happen and to live them. Thank you, Liz for this much needed exhortation that’s exceedingly rich in precious content. As Teresa summed up so succinctly once before: this is where the rubber meets the road.
To walk as Jesus did… let us not forget to ask that His wisdom, grace, love, desire for others, joy in Him, a compassionate willingness to serve, and courage would fill our feet… and continuously so, lest we remain all noise, yet lame.
I appreciate all your comments and I’m so blessed that you found it encouraging. Can I tell you how this post came about?
As my dear, faith-filled sister often says, “He’s just looking for an empty vessel.” And on Saturday, I was EMPTY! Tired, weary, weepy, resting on my bed…and then came the burden to pray for someone as though they were right there in the room standing in all their tattered brokenness, desperation, and abject want. It would’ve been unlawful for me to not go to the Judge and ask Him for justice.
Afterwards, I was reminded of Isaiah 61–now front and center again, where it should be.
Love you all,
-E
Love you, Elizabeth. Have a beautiful weekend.
Happy Resurrection Day, dear Elizabeth!