As I walk through photos of the world
both past and present; images come to mind of what once was. A woman cradling her child; both frail and
weak from lack of food and sanitary conditions, an abandoned child, and a
picture of shattered pillars scattered on the ground. At first glance the
photos can bring an emotion of: sadness, anger, and despair. Yet in this same
image are signs of a promise that brings so much more. We just have to look
close enough. Not only open our eyes, but also our hearts.
Among the woman holding her child is
a single candle lighting the darkness. Isaiah 61:1 shares an imagery of the
light, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has
anointed me to proclaim 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”. The light shed is that of the word of God proclaimed to those who
do not know of him.
Off in the distance behind the
abandoned child is a tree. With each passing season the tree sheds and grows a
new leaf, which is what God wants for his child; to start a new leaf on life.
Isaiah 61: 2-3 shows the newness “To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and
the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for
those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit
of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor”.
Among the shattered pillars and ruins
is a rainbow. Just as after the great flood God sent a promise of a rainbow.
The rainbow among the ruins is a promise of restoration that will take place in
Jesus second coming. Indicated in Isaiah 61:4, “They will rebuild the ancient
ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations”.
As I continued scavenging through the
photo’s I found a scroll with a story embracing all of what Isaiah was
describing.
All
of Nazareth was buzzing. Jesus, Joseph’s son, was coming home. Many say he is a
prophet of some sort. Perhaps, dare we say it, maybe he’ll help up get rid of
these cursed Romans! If we could only get rid of these cursed Romans, then
things can go back to the glory days of King David. Wouldn’t that be something?
That’s what we need, another King David. Isn’t that right? That’s what we need,
right, the promised Messiah?
Look! He’s coming into Nazareth!
Quick, let’s get inside the synagogue. He always goes to the synagogue,
especially on the Sabbath. The place is packed! It’s a good thing we came
early! Wow! They’re having him read! I wonder what he’ll read? Probably some
message about the Messiah and how He will get rid of these cursed Romans, them
and their cursed taxes. It sounds like he has picked Isaiah. Hush! Listen! “The
Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to
the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of
sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the
Lord’s favor.” Look he stopped! He didn’t finish! He’s rolling the scroll back
up! He’s giving it back to the attendant! Wait! He’s going to speak! What is he
saying? “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” But he didn’t read
the whole message! He left out the part “and the day of vengeance of our God”!
Silly people weren’t they? They were
a strange lot! They actually thought that Jesus was going to free them from the
Romans! Didn’t they realize what He came to do? I can tell if Jesus came today
to South Dakota to this very place HE could do some real good. Maybe He would
get these gasoline prices rolled back! That’s what we need! Right? Isn’t that
right?
I replaced the scroll and the photos
back in the box. I myself, was feeling restored. I opened my Bible and read Isaiah 61: 1-4,
9-11.
“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,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow
on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of
mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be
called oaks of righteousness, and planting of the Lord for the display of his
splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long
devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for
generations.
Their descendents will be known among
the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord
has blessed. I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he
has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of
righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride
adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a
garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and
praise spring up before all nations.”
This Easter season; we need to take
the promise of restoration that is hidden among us and disciple this promise to
those who do not know. So go out and
plant the seeds.
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