Advent and the Messianic Prophecies - Part 2

 

 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:

1. What it meant for Israel in exile
2. How it is fulfilled in Christ
3. 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?

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.