Isaiah 60 - Jesus' Purpose

 

Isaiah 60 – Jesus’ Purpose

 

In Luke 4:16-19 Jesus went into the temple, opened the Book of Isaiah, and began to read. He closes the book just before it says, “and the day of vengeance of our God”. Then He reopens the book as stated in Luke 4:20-21 and states “this day is their scripture fulfilled in your ears.” This was the fulfillment of Christ’s first coming.

 

Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would heal those with broken hearts and liberate spiritual captives and prisoners. God’s chosen One would announce His grace to a desperate Humanity as an expression of His compassion. From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus said that His purpose was to seek out lost sinners and restore to a relationship with the Father. Jesus quoted Isaiah 61 to substantiate His claim to being the Messiah and to restate the purpose of His life and ministry.

 

Jesus came to heal, teach, minister, and serve. His compassion reveals the character of Christ. God’s love and understanding reach out to those who are depressed and discouraged. He promises to give consolation, beauty in place of ashes, oil of joy in place of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness. The Bible recognizes the heaviness of depression. God’s Word brings hope and encouragement to those who are weighted down, and God’s people stand with those who struggle, to bring relief and restoration. God promises that He will bring restoration “that He may be glorified”. This promise He made was primarily to God’s chosen people, but it is equally important for us today.

 

Isaiah spoke of Israel getting a facelift. This is yet to happen; many Jews have returned to Israel but it has not yet prospered enough to have the Eden like qualities it once had and will have at the beginning of the Millennium. Israel will be a kingdom of priests. That was God’s first intention but because of their sin, this never happened. In the new kingdom, their lives will be of everlasting joy. They will no longer live with rituals, but their lives will adorn the character of Christ. They will greatly rejoice in the Lord.

Today the world is more wrapped up in their self than they are wrapped up in God. As long as we hold on to our sins, we cannot worship with the excitement and thrill God intended it to be.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.