September 30, 2015
Isaiah prophesied to Israel of a coming “anointed” one who would be the Messiah (“Messiah” is Hebrew for “Anointed One,” or “Christ” which is Greek for the same). Around 700 years later the first part of the prophecy was fulfilled. The Messiah, who was Jesus the Christ, had come. After Jesus was baptized and spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted, he returned to His hometown of Nazareth where He attended the local synagogue as was His custom. As He stood up in the synagogue, He was handed the scroll of Isaiah to read. Turning to the verse above, He read it aloud and then declared, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). Most of the people of His hometown rejected Him, yet many in Israel believed. And to those who believed, He brought “good tidings, healing and liberty.” Jesus has fulfilled the first verse of Isaiah 61, soon He will return to fulfill the rest.