“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.” — Isaiah 61:1

I love this prophecy! This is the Messianic prophecy that Jesus read in the synagogue at the beginning of His ministry. After reading this prophecy, He said, “And this is now fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus Himself claimed that this prophecy was about Him and that it was fulfilled upon being read that day in the synagogue. Does it get any clearer than this? Jesus claimed to be the Messiah. He not only claimed to be the Messiah, He went on from there to fulfill the rest of this prophecy during His 3-year ministry on Earth.

What did that 3-year ministry consist of? It consisted of Spirit-filled preaching and teaching the masses about the Kingdom of God. While He did so, He healed broken hearts and set the spiritually captive free. Throughout His ministry He touched many who were in need. Just read any of the Gospels to be reminded of the countless people who were beggars, blind, and lepers, lame, deaf, demon-possessed, crippled, and dead — who were set free by the healing touch of Jesus.

And you are quietly asking in the back of your mind whether Jesus somehow still does these things today? And I say, yes! He did not just do these marvelous acts during the 3 years of His ministry. He continues to fulfill His priestly office as He does these same freeing works through, and to, us today. Do you have a spiritual or physical need? Reach out to Jesus. He can and will meet your need. How? He will most likely do it through a fellow Christian He has placed in your life. He performs miracles every day through believers who are willing to be His instruments. Trust me when I say that every aspect of this prophecy is still occurring today.

This morning I want nothing more than for you to close your eyes and picture Jesus reading this text, and then looking straight into your eyes and saying that today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. See Him close the scroll and then reach out to touch you so that He might set the captive free.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.org