Schonewolf, Kris

Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) – “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim 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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy 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.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) – “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Message: As Jesus began His public ministry, He stood up and quoted this passage, declaring that He was the long-awaited Messiah. In doing so He declared that everything Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah would come to pass in His ministry.

Everyone needs good news. Everyone’s had a broken heart. Everyone’s been in dark places. Everyone has mourned. But praise God – we have a Messiah, Jesus – who came to bring the good news we all need, to heal our broken hearts, to free us from the darkness of captivity to lies and bitterness, and to comfort us in the grieving seasons.

The broken are everywhere, from the wealthiest gated community to death row, and everywhere in-between. As someone who has ministered to many, I can declare that nowhere is out of reach of our Messiah’s power to heal. I have seen: addicts forever freed from bondage, people healed of incurable physical illnesses and restored from life-altering injuries; someone diagnosed as a sociopath living a pure, holy, and Christ-honouring life; people set free from the horrors of trauma and abuse; the lost embrace Jesus as a deer pants for life-giving water.

But you might ask, “That’s great for them, but what about me?” I assure you that the Good News of Jesus has lost none of its efficacy! Sit daily in God’s presence with an open Bible. Pray the Psalms back to God. Ask for prayer from someone ahead of you in the race.

Prayer: Father, we call upon the Holy Spirit’s power to heal, restore, and transform us. Let us behold the beauty of Jesus as we receive His love, receive His power, and are transformed into His very image as we contemplate His glory! Amen.

Pastor Kris Schonewolf
First Methodist Church, Williston, Florida

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