Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn
Isaiah promised that the Messiah would be the anointed one, the bringer of good news, the mender of broken hearts, the liberator of captives, the breaker of chains, the proclaimer of truth and justice, and the comforter of those who mourn.
The coming one would be a savior, a defender of the poor and the weak, a protector of the downtrodden and afflicted. His rule and reign would be greater than any who had come before. It would also be markedly different. Israel waited for a prince, for the royal heir who would inherit the throne and bring all that had been promised.
Around 700 years later in Nazareth, a crowd would gather at the synagogue as they did every Sabbath. The carpenter was there, as usual. But something was very different this time. Something that would change everything. He rose and took the scroll, and as every eye rested upon him, he read aloud these words from Isaiah. As he took his seat, he looked intently at the crowd and spoke: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
- O Holy Night
