The awful truth

I am quick to take this passage as my being a partner with God in fixing his world.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

Isaiah 61v1

I assume a smug self satisfaction from which I might minister to the poor. The Lord Jesus points out, I am among the poor. This is a privileged place for he said, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” He patiently awaits my willingness to receive his opinion of my poverty before unveiling to me his good news.

When I see a problem I reflect on how others need to change. But, the Lord does not show me other people’s problems. He shows me mine. I don’t want to accept that I am part of this problem. That would challenge my identity. I need courage to pray that the Lord will lift the veil. When he does I am appalled by my wretchedness and spiritual poverty. Then the Lord’s good news shifts from a solution for others to my desperate need.

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

Isaiah 61v1

Jesus comes to me in my newly discovered brokenness with his comfort. Now that I can see that I am a prisoner he begins the journey to freedom.
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