Reflect
When Jesus travelled to Nazareth where He grew up, He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. When He stood up to read, the scroll containing the words of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He read the verses we read today from Isaiah 61:1-2a. Imagine the scene. All eyes were on Him. As He rolled up the scroll and handed it back to the attendant, He said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). You can read the response of the people in Luke 4.
In this passage we are told who will benefit the most from the “good news” which the prophet was anointed and empowered by God’s Spirit to proclaim; ordinary people, the poor, the brokenhearted and those held captive. The freedom anticipated in the Old Testament was freedom from bondage and oppression; the freedom proclaimed in the New Testament is from sin and death. This is the Good News we celebrate during Advent. The remaining verses in this chapter speak to the total redemption that will occur when Christ comes again. What a day that will be!
As we enter the Advent season, how can you intentionally focus on the Good News that Jesus came to fulfil rather than the frenzied activity around you?
Pastor Sharon
Pray
- For those who need to be encouraged in heart and united in love.
- Ask God to increase your awareness of the wisdom and knowledge in Jesus Christ.
- Pray through the prayer page in the bulletin.
- Pray for Pastor Neil. Pray that God would restore his health during his medical leave.
- Pray for Pastor Dan, our Lead Team Pastor, his family and his intern Dave Falk.