Joining Jesus on His Mission

All Christians are called to reflect Jesus and join Him on several parts of His mission. Let's discuss how we can do so.

Joining Jesus on His Mission

This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

"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 61‬:1‬-2‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬)

When I first became a Christian, I was blessed to be taught what it meant to be invited into the mission of God. All Christians are called to make disciples as we reflect Jesus in all we do. These verses in Isaiah 61 helped to teach me the mission of Jesus so that I could seek to reflect His mission in my own life.

Now, there are things that Jesus was sent to do that I myself cannot do. I cannot live a sinless life, and I cannot die on the cross for anybody's sin. Praise God that I am declared holy through Christ, and praise the Lord that His death on the cross is sufficient for all. But these verses here speak about some of those aspects of Jesus's life and mission that we can and should emulate. As I read about Jesus, I know that only He can fulfill this prophecy, but in my joy, I am invited to emulate my Savior by being about the same things that He was and is. It's hard to join Jesus in His mission if you are unsure what His mission actually is. Isaiah 61:1-2 teaches us a lot about the mission and the heart of Jesus.

This verse is found here in Isaiah 61 as a prophecy. I first really studied it during a "Major Prophets" course in college, and it really jumped out at me. I later learned that it is repeated in the New Testament as Jesus picks up a scroll in the temple and reads from the prophet Isaiah. This is the very passage that He chooses to read. Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 and then says that this prophecy is fulfilled that day in Himself. Jesus Himself interprets these verses for us by clearly proclaiming that these verses are about Him.

These verses reveal to us part of the mission of Jesus. The Lord has anointed Jesus for these various things: bringing good news, binding up the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty and bringing freedom, justice, comfort, and more. Let's take a step together in joining Jesus on His mission by understanding what His mission is as expressed in this passage.

Proclaiming good news to the poor. Sin impoverishes, but the good news is that Jesus is rich in mercy.

Binding up the brokenhearted. There is healing for your heart and soul through Jesus Christ. He meets you at the point of your need, at the deepest and most personal level. There is no wound too deep that the Lord cannot bind you up and bring restoration and healing.

Proclaiming liberty to the captives. You need not be a slave to sin anymore. Indeed, if you are in Christ, you are not a slave to sin. There is freedom in Christ!

Opening of the prison to those who are bound. Lay down the chains. They have no power over you anymore. You are not bound in Christ; you are liberated to live for Him. The chains are gone, and the cell door is open. Don't sit in the cell any longer. Freedom in Christ is your reality. Walk out in the freedom achieved for you through the cross.

Proclaiming the day of vengeance. Interestingly, Jesus didn't quote this part in Luke 4 because it pertains to His second coming and not to His first. We proclaim the truth that He is coming again, make ourselves ready, and warn others to be alert: He is coming soon.

Comforting those who mourn. Jesus brings great hope. Even in the darkest moments and places, we can take great comfort in this hope we have in Him. So many are hurting and need this comfort.

Let's stop and praise the Lord that He is the fulfillment of all these things! He has accomplished all of this for us. And now we have the opportunity to reflect His heart by being about the things that He is about. I want to be about the things that Jesus is about. These are some of the things that the Lord is about: Proclaiming the good news, comforting the hurting, warning of His imminent return; let's be about these things today as well.