1 John 3:8 says: “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
When sin entered the world through the alluring of the Serpent, it had a cataclysmic effect on humanity as well as the cosmos. This is why, in this text, sin is connected with Jesus appearing to destroy the works of the devil.
Isaiah 61:1-4, which Jesus quoted at the beginning of His ministry (Luke 4:18), shows the vast work of healing that destroyed Satan’s work in people and reversed the effects of sin on individuals.
“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE THE LORD HAS ANOINTED ME TO BRING GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR.”
This passage also goes along with the sermon on the mount in which Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Luke 6:20). Poor people in those days were at the bottom of society in terms of economic options, much worse than the poverty we see in our own nation. Indeed, Jesus never called anyone to live in squalor and abject poverty; this is a work of the devil that He came to reverse. The fact that He said it’s good news to even the poorest of the poor means that God will switch the conditions and environment of a person after He reaches their heart and changes them from within.
Also, the work of God in someone’s soul through salvation is so great that they are blessed even though they are poor!
“HE HAS SENT ME TO BIND UP THE BROKENHEARTED,”
Since sin came into the world, we have often been hurtful and committed atrocities against our fellow human beings. We have been disloyal in our relationships which causes people to have broken hearts. A broken-hearted person has, in some ways, lost the will to live. It’s somebody who is suffering from traumatic pain in their emotions. This is also an effect of sin Jesus desires to reverse and heal.
“TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND THE OPENING OF THE PRISON TO THOSE WHO ARE BOUND”
The prison and captivity Jesus is referring to in this text has to do with sin that binds us. The greatest prison many people experience is their limiting mindset and self-inflicted bondage in their souls due to sin and disobedience. Proverbs 5:22 says, “The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.”
“TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR,”
The year of God’s favor started after Jesus died and rose from the dead. This inaugurated the good news of salvation for all believers. Consequently, the “acceptable year” or “year of acceptance” is a space of time not intended to indicate a literal calendar year. It has already lasted more than 2000 years.
“AND THE DAY OF VENGEANCE OF OUR GOD”
The Day of Vengeance is the Last Day judgment for unrepentant sinners as seen in Revelation 20:11-15 and mentioned in John 5:28-29 and Acts 17:31.
“TO COMFORT ALL WHO MOURN”
Here Jesus is saying that the gospel is the answer for those mourning over their sins. The gospel is also the answer for those mourning because they have been beaten down in life. Jesus said that we will have tribulation in the world but be of good cheer because he has overcome the world! (John 16:33)
“TO GRANT TO THOSE WHO MOURN IN ZION, TO GIVE THEM A BEAUTIFUL HEADDRESS INSTEAD OF ASHES.”
This means that in salvation, we receive a headdress or crown of glory to replace the ashes of repentance which was customary to sprinkle upon the head when someone was sorrowful over their sins.
“THE OIL OF GLADNESS INSTEAD OF MOURNING”
The anointing of the Spirit replaces the flood of tears which naturally belonged to mourners.
“THE GARMENT OF PRAISE INSTEAD OF A FAINT SPIRIT”
Jesus came to give us a new identity and lift our faint spirit to extraordinary heights. God gives believers a glad heart inclined to praise God, in place of a heavy one inclined to despair and depression.
“THAT THEY MAY BE CALLED OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE PLANTING OF THE LORD, THAT HE MAY BE GLORIFIED.”
This shows that those who follow Jesus can be stabilized and become immovable pillars for their family, business, church, and community. Truly nothing gives so much glory to God as the proved righteousness of his saints that demonstrates their salvation.
“THEY SHALL BUILD UP THE ANCIENT RUINS; THEY SHALL RAISE UP THE FORMER DEVASTATIONS”
Those positively changed by the gospel will affect their environment since only transformed people can positively transform their community and family. Only the good news of Christ breaks generational curses over families and communities.
This Christmas season let’s believe in the good news of Christ. The good news that destroys the works of the devil that’s related to every aspect of our life.
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