Thursday, January 20, 2005
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach 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.
ANOINTED TO PROCLAIM
Today at noon, George W. Bush will take the presidential oath of office and begin his second term as leader of our country. Inauguration Day marks his official placement into office. After inauguration there is no turning back. There is no recounting the votes. Nobody is left wondering to whom the nation's top executive position belongs and the presidential duties can be carried out without delay.
Jesus was part of an inauguration too. God the Father officially placed Him into office at His baptism when heaven opened and the Spirit of the Lord descended like a dove. The voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased." What office did Jesus take at His baptism? The prophet Isaiah tells us He was sent to "preach good news to the poor ... to proclaim ..." Jesus is the Father's official preacher, His hand-selected prophet. He would tell the world all about the way of salvation. He would tell the earth that He alone would pay for all guilt and open the way to eternal joy in heaven. He would announce forgiveness and freedom to those held in the captivity of sin. After Jesus' inauguration, He got to the business of preaching pretty quickly too. Remember how He didn't waste any time gathering the apostles to help spread the good news?
Jesus' baptism marked the "official" beginning of His preaching ministry and the beginning in earnest of His march toward Jerusalem and the cross. Now there was no turning back. No other Savior would be sent to redeem the world from sin and nobody would be left wondering to whom they should look for spiritual help and leadership.
But finally even this-- unlike the presidents of the United States, Jesus' term in office never ends! He is still preaching the good news to you through pastors, teachers, and others whom He Himself places in your life's path so that you might hear and be saved! 