Jesus Makes People Whole Again by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D. Summary: Do you or someone close to you feel broken? desperate? hopeless? ready to give up? Turn to Jesus Christ, who takes shattered lives and people and makes them whole again. Isaiah 61:1-3 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, [2] to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, [3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Luke 4:16-21 He [Jesus] went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. [17] The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is ON ME, because he has ANOINTED ME TO preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” [20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, [21] and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” •• This speaks of Jesus taking BROKEN people and making them WHOLE people. • the brokenhearted • the captives • those in darkness • the prisoners • those who are mourning and grieving • the poor • the blind • the oppressed •• And all of these Jesus makes into: • solid oaks of righteousness • a planting of the Lord • for the display of His splendor •• Jesus said (paraphrased), “The Holy Spirit, the Anointing, is on me to change you, to heal you, to deliver you, to transform you, to take your heavy hearts and fill them with joy.” He is ready and able to help all who cry out to Him, Lord, make me whole again! 1. The brokenhearted •• Mary and Martha were grieving ... their brother Lazarus was dead ... Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again ... I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:23, 25). And Jesus proceeded to raise Lazarus from the dead. Many of us who have lost believing loved ones can take great comfort from the knowledge that, at His coming, Jesus will raise to life all those who have come to Him in faith. 2. The captives •• The ten lepers were captive to their debilitating disease and shunned by society. Jesus freed them by healing their terrible affliction. 3. Those in darkness •• Matthew 4:16 says of Jesus, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawne
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 09:22:14 +0000
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