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An Intricate Story

Posted by on Nov 23, 2009 in Daily Bread | 1 comment

God’s plot line is so much more complex than movies. I love films with twists you don’t expect, and intricate stories that make you go “aha! I get it now” at the end. This Scripture is one of those places that I see God’s intricacy. He gives Isaiah prophecy for the Jewish nation, telling them that the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on him. Isaiah confidently proclaims to Israel that he is qualified to bring them good news, because God has anointed him to give this message of freedom to the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives – which is to say, to everyone, in my opinion. This good news was for all Jews, but many refused to listen. Isaiah says in the beginning of his book that even the ox knows his master, but not Israel. They continually turned their back on God.

This part I get. From Genesis to Malachi, God is telling us the story of his chosen people Israel and how they sin and turn away from Him, and how He is constantly calling them back to Himself. Isaiah’s detailed message is extensive and eloquent. God speaks through Isaiah that he wants his people to recognize their sin and know that He will forgive them.

Then, Jesus comes to earth. God throws in a plot line the Jews didn’t expect, and one that is overwhelming for me to comprehend. Christ uses this same scripture in the synagogue at Nazareth, as an announcement of His ministry and anointing. When Jesus finishes reading it he says, (my paraphrase) “Do you hear these words from God? They’re not just about Isaiah. I’m here. Isaiah was talking about me. I’m the one that God’s Spirit is on. Remember the dove that came down when John baptized me? I’m here to preach good news to the poor…to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind (Luke 4:18) .”

Isaiah had “the Spirit of God moving him at times” (Matthew Henry), and Jesus had the Spirit of God that descended to rest on Him fully. Then, Jesus tells the disciples that he “…is going to send..what my Father has promised” (Luke 24:49), and the Holy Spirit comes to them at Pentecost. We have the privilege of the Holy Spirit living inside of us as believers of Christ. Astounding – we are more privileged than the prophets!

From Matthew through Revelation, God is showing us His Son, through whom we can be reconciled to Him. He calls us to Him throughout Scripture.

So, the third layer of this incredibly intricate word from God, I believe, is for us. As followers of Jesus, I think Christ commissions us to do these same things. Our group here in Kenya came:

  • to preach good news to the poor – poor in circumstance and poor in knowledge;
  • to bind up the brokenhearted – to show love to widows and orphans in Kenya that have lost their families to HIV/AIDS, and who are also infected;
  • to proclaim freedom for the captives – at home and abroad we get to joyfully tell people that Christ gives freedom from our sin and the things that hold us in bondage;
  • and to proclaim release from darkness – Christ will overcome Satan and his forces on the earth, and we will no longer be blind, or imprisoned by his lies.

Isaiah, then Jesus, now us – an intricate story with unexpected plot twists that all come together when you know how the story ends.