We live in a world where it seems that most of the news is bad. Earthquakes, crime, political corruption, the list goes on and on and on. It’s pretty easy to get depressed.
But when Jesus came, he spoke the words Isaiah wrote here, saying,
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. (Isaiah 61:1-2)
Good news. Isn’t that something that we all need? Isn’t it something that this whole world needs?
So many are living with hearts that are broken. So many are captive to sin, living in darkness with no hope. But Jesus came to set people free from all that.
He came to comfort those who mourn and bring them joy.
He came to fill their hearts and mouths with praise, rather than despair.
To take them from the ashes of their lives and crown them with beauty, to plant them as oaks of righteousness that can stand through the storms of life, and for His glory. (2-3)
To rebuild the ruins of their lives, and restore the parts of their lives that have been devastated. (4)
To make them his priests and ministers before him. (6)
To take away their shame and disgrace, and give them a lasting inheritance that will not corrupt or fade over time. (7)
To clothe us with garments of his salvation and robes of righteousness, justifying us by the blood of Jesus, and sanctifying us by his Spirit. (10)
Good news? That’s great news!
So as Christmas starts to draw near, let us share its true meaning with the people around us and the life that Christ himself offers them so that they may receive what we already have.
As Isaiah said in chapter 52 verse 7,
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 