Isaiah 61
Reflect
Jesus began His ministry by reading the opening of Isaiah 61 and declaring that He is the fulfillment of what is prophesied in Isaiah 61. Jesus declares that in this passage being fulfilled through Him, He is the one God has anointed for this special task. Anointing is a way that God sets apart those who He has chosen. God’s anointed is a designation of those who are favoured by God. Anointing is done with oil, which was sometimes a simple oil or other times a special recipe combining many elements.
Why are we discussing anointing? In Isaiah 61, joy is mentioned twice. The first mention is that those who are grieving in Zion with receive the oil of joy instead of mourning, and the second mention is that everlasting joy will be part of the inheritance God’s children will receive.
Jesus is the anointed one, and as such He passes this anointing on by bestowing on His people the oil of gladness. This anointing is not one that washes or wears off. This anointing is an everlasting covering that we can experience each day, even for those who are presently grieving. I pray that you will experience the oil of joy today.
Pastor Mike
Pray
- Pray for our Prime Minister and Premier, Mayor Sohi, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to your mind.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate.
- Pray for all our small group leaders