Thoughts for the Day

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit...

For I the Lord love justice,
I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Isaiah's words should send shivers through us, for we hear again Jesus reading these same words in the synagogue in Nazareth, and as he sits down he says, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." The book of the prophet Isaiah was apparently written by two or three people, for the writing styles are different. If we take the three writers option, then the first 39 chapters were written by someone we call 'Proto-Isaiah' who wrote in the 8th Century BCE, then in chapters 40-55 we have 'Deutero-Isaiah' in the 6th Century BCE during the exile in Babylon, and finally 'Trito-Isaiah' who writes chapters 56-66 after the return from exile.

Today's passage from Isaiah speaks of Yahweh's servant, the one who is anointed for the task appointed to him. This is the Messiah who will come to rescue God's people and to give judgement. For Christians this is Jesus. For all who accept Him as the Messiah He brings good news:

• the offer of freedom from our captivity to sin!
• the offer to reunite us with God!
• the offer of joy instead of sadness!
• the offer of a new Covenant (or contract) with God!

May we rejoice in our inheritance and renew our side of the Covenant with God this Advent.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we find time from the
hustle and bustle of life
at this time of the year,
to review our life
and to place You at its centre.
May we remember our side
of the Covenant that we made
at our Baptism (and/or Confirmation)
this Advent,
so that we come to Christmas
renewed and refreshed by Your Spirit.
Amen.