January 18: THE MESSIAH’S EARTHLY MISSION (part 2)

…To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1b-2

What do the poor and the brokenhearted, the captives and those who are bound, and all who mourn have in common? All are sons or daughters of Adam and Eve. The good tidings are for everyone; but not everyone recognizes their poverty. When Jesus gave His first public address, He began with these words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). But only those who understand that they are poor, limping through life in abject spiritual poverty and separated from God, are able to receive the good tidings of the Savior. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to gain recognition of one’s own spiritual state of poverty. The sadness that sin ushered into the once-perfect world has caused brokenheartedness as far as the eye can see. But learning of the true nature and character of God has a healing effect on the mind and emotions. Satan’s perpetual lie—that disobedience to the Lord of Creation brings liberty—has proven just the opposite: people instead became captive to soul-destroying behaviors, thoughts, and habits. They are overwhelmed and imprisoned by them, feeling that they are permanently bound to these things.

Paul (formerly Saul) joined the earthly mission of Jesus. He had been “imprisoned” by a wrong understanding of God’s character before his encounter with Christ. But after accepting divine correction, he was faithful to point out that misguided, sinful people have all been recipients of God’s mercy, and apart from recognition of that mercy, His grace and empowerment for positive change will be elusive. Paul stated, “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

Beloved, if you belong to the Lord Jesus, then your life will become filled with purpose that springs directly out of His mission. His mission becomes your mission. His Spirit will guide your thoughts, exposing them to the light of His counsel. Do you harbor thoughts about someone that you would rather keep hidden? Such thoughts are not hidden from Him, and when they come into your mind you are to renounce them at once. Renounce every such idea until there is no hidden craftiness or dishonesty in you at all. You will find that envy, jealousy, and strife will no longer be found in you. This kind of freedom—true freedom—is what our loving Creator wants for each of us. Have you accepted the good tidings from the Son of God?

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

See again Luke 4:22. Yes, Joseph was the earthly, adoptive father of Jesus. And he was a good earthly father to the Son of God! What does that say about us when we accept His offer of a relationship?