Scripture
The Spirit of Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to captives and freedom to prisoners.
~Isaiah 61:1, LSB
Quote
No one has to wait for the coming of God’s grace. It is here, now! Accept it today.
~Calvin Miller
When Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth, He entered the synagogue and the leader gave him the scroll. Evidently it was open to Isaiah 61 and this is what Jesus read. Then He sent tremors and shock waves through the congregation and the village by saying, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus confessed that He was the Christ, the long awaited Messiah and this announcement created a buzz. Before the day was over, they tried to kill Him for claiming to be the Messiah, but His time had not yet come and they were powerless to stop Him. They were so upset at His claim to be the Messiah that they totally ignored the message. But the brokenhearted, the down trodden and those who were being oppressed were elated. The religious leaders made their appeals to the upper class; they ignored the poor, the social outcast and those serving time for being poor and not able to pay their bills.
Can you imagine this: Jesus walking into a prison with a briefcase filled with pardons. He takes the warden with him and started down the cell block, handing out pardons and unlocking doors. If you attend DBC, you are familiar with pastor Ben. He was arrested in Guatemala two years ago on trumped up charges. He is in a cell that is so crowded, they have to take times lying down for sleep. Now imagine Jesus walking into that prison and passing out pardons and having the warden unlock the cells and set the men free. Do you think we might have some shouting; some serious celebration and heart felt thanksgiving. You can bet your last Diet Pepsi, there would be a party like the one in Luke 15.
I am speaking literally about Pastor Ben but metaphorically there is another prison that we are all in and I speak of these bodies made of clay. In these earthly bodies, there are a lot of restrictions and restraints. There are things we cannot do and other unpleasant things that we are forced to live with. As you grow older, you get tired of sin, temptation, the nagging presence of the flesh always dragging you down and the break down of your physical health. We do things we don’t want to do: go to the doctor, eat oatmeal, sleep on a heating pad, wear bi-focals, drink murolax, etc. Things that were once easy are now impossible. We deal daily with pain, discomfort and apprehension. When Jesus removes us from these old bodies of clay, there is going to be a party. No more sickness, pain, regret, guilt, fear, doubt, headaches, temptation, demons, liberals or laxatives. We will be shouting to the top of our spiritual lungs, FREE AT LAST.
Extra
Busy day today LORD willing. We will be on the road all day going to doctors. I don’t know if you should pray for me or the others who will be sharing the road with me.