Jesus Mission Statement; Isaiah 61:1-4

According to Luke chapter four, Jesus Himself saw this passage as His mission statement:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

(Isa 61:1-4)

There are many facets to this declaration. First, there is a way in which this must be seen spiritually for each person who will put faith in the redemption wrought in Jesus Christ. That is, good news for the poor in spirit, brokenhearted because of sin and its consequences, and the announcement of freedom from Satan's prison.

Still, it is more than that. It is a call for social justice. I think of the inner city and the ministries that serve this population.

Certainly the cities have been ruined by the devastations of many generations, certainly there is ample opportunity for repair. It is sad that the focus of evangelical Christianity has been only spiritual. Again, I am not diminishing the importance of rebirth of each individual but, that should not be pursued at the expense of the natural life.

If one reads the Prophets, Psalms, and Proverbs, it should be glaringly clear that ancient Israel's greatest sin, aside from idolatry, was mistreatment of the poor. Justice was subverted from the poor and the rulers and judges were open to bribery. Financial status, could buy justice. There was no justice in the gates. We must remember that the gate was symbolic of the government. Ancient Israel was ruled and judged by the elders in the gate. The gate was the seat of commerce.

Let us not forget the words of Jesus, I was hungry and you fed me, naked and you clothed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink, homeless and you took me in, sick and in prison and you visited me. We should begin to take better care of our Lord!