This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on November 14th Dec 2025, by Navaz. For the audio & video, please click here. For the worship, please click here. The Anointed Messiah
Introduction
Isaiah 61 stands as one of the most hope-filled and powerful
passages in Scripture. Written against the dark backdrop of exile, oppression,
and spiritual decline, it points forward to a Redeemer who would bring healing,
freedom, and restoration. This chapter ultimately finds its fulfilment in Jesus
Christ, who boldly declares in Luke 4 that this ancient prophecy is realized in
Him.
At its heart, Isaiah 61 carries a sweeping message: Judgment
gives way to hope, hope leads to redemption, redemption results in restoration,
and restoration ushers in new creation.
Background to the Book of Isaiah
The book of Isaiah spans nearly 100 years of Israel’s
history. Scholars generally agree on one of two views: either Isaiah wrote the
first part of the book while his disciples completed the latter sections, or
Isaiah himself authored the entire work but entrusted portions of it to his
students for preservation.
Isaiah ministered during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham,
Ahaz, and Hezekiah in the southern kingdom of Judah, while Assyria conquered
the northern kingdom of Israel.
The book can broadly be divided into three sections:
- Chapters
1–39 (c. 800 BC): Isaiah’s lifetime, calling Judah to repentance
- Chapters
40–55 (c. 550–539 BC): Addressing Israel during the Babylonian exile
- Chapters
56–66 (post-515 BC): Hope after the return from exile and the
rebuilding of the temple
Isaiah 61 belongs to this final section and is saturated
with expectation—a promise that God has not abandoned His people.
A Messianic Promise of Hope
Isaiah 61 was written with the awareness that Israel would
face exile and devastation. The temple would lie in ruins, and the people would
experience loss, shame, and despair. Yet this chapter speaks of a coming
Messiah who would restore what was broken.
The passage declares:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the
Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…”
This is not merely poetic comfort—it is a prophetic
announcement of God’s rescue plan.
Jesus Reads Isaiah 61
Fast forward to Luke 4. Israel is once again under foreign
rule, this time by the Romans. Centuries of conquest have left the people
longing for deliverance. Many expected a political Messiah who would overthrow
oppressors by force.
Instead, Jesus inaugurates His ministry with a radically
different message.
Returning to His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus enters the
synagogue “as was His custom.” The scroll of Isaiah is handed to Him, and He
reads from what we now know as Isaiah 61. Then, He does something
astonishing—He stops mid-sentence.
He reads:
“To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”
But He does not continue with:
“and the day of vengeance of our God.”
Why?
Two Comings, One Messiah
Jesus’ deliberate pause reveals a profound truth: His
mission unfolds in two phases.
The First Coming – Grace and Salvation
Jesus declares that Isaiah 61 is fulfilled in their hearing.
He is openly identifying Himself as the Messiah. His first coming is marked by
grace, mercy, and salvation:
“I did not come to judge the world, but to save the
world.” (John 12:47)
This is the present season—the year of the Lord’s favour—where
forgiveness is offered and hearts can be transformed.
The Second Coming – Justice and Judgment
The “day of vengeance” will come later. Scripture makes it
clear that Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. Until then, the
door of grace remains open.
We are still living in that season of favour.
Good News for the Poor
Jesus’ announcement shocked His audience. He declared good
news not for the powerful, but for:
- The
poor
- The broken-hearted
- The
captives
- The
blind
- The
oppressed
In Jesus’ day, these groups were often considered cursed or
insignificant. Yet Jesus places them at the very centre of God’s kingdom.
This theme echoes throughout His teaching, especially in the
Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
The poverty Jesus addresses is ultimately spiritual
poverty—a condition shared by all humanity. Sin leaves us bankrupt,
captive, blind, and broken. But in Christ, our debt is cancelled.
Recovery of Sight to the Blind
Interestingly, Jesus adds a phrase not found directly in
Isaiah 61: “recovery of sight for the blind.” This comes from Isaiah 42.
Why does He include it?
Because spiritual blindness is humanity’s deepest problem.
No amount of human wisdom can fix it. We need divine revelation. Jesus is the
Light of the world, opening blind eyes and leading people out of darkness into
truth.
The gospel convicts, heals, restores, and illuminates—by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
The Great Exchange
Isaiah 61 beautifully describes what Jesus gives us in
exchange for our brokenness:
- A
crown of beauty instead of ashes – where there was ruin, God gives
dignity
- The
oil of joy instead of mourning – where there was sorrow, God gives
healing joy
- A
garment of praise instead of despair – where sin weighed us down, God
clothes us in righteousness
This is not surface-level change. It is deep, Spirit-led
restoration.
Who We Become
Those who receive this work of Christ are called:
“Oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the
display of His splendour.”
This is the purpose of salvation—not merely heaven someday,
but transformation now. God restores us so His glory can be seen through
renewed lives.
Isaiah 61 operates on three levels:
- What
it meant for Israel in exile
- How
it is fulfilled in Christ
- What
it now means for us
Christ fulfils the prophecy, works transformation in us,
and continues His mission through us.
Living in the Year of the Lord’s Favor
The church is called to reflect this kingdom reality—to
preach good news, heal broken hearts, and proclaim freedom to those enslaved by
sin. We are the new Zion, a city set on a hill, displaying what redeemed
humanity looks like.
One day, Christ will return. That day will be glorious for
some and devastating for others.
Until then, now is the day of salvation.
The question remains: How will you respond?
