January 12, 2026
“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:6–7)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Too often, we see the Old Testament—and especially the words of the prophets—as bad news. As nothing but proclamations of “Woe!” and “Misery!” and “Punishment!” upon the people. But that’s not all it says. Sure, there are those passages, but sweet words of promise are also scattered throughout the Old Testament, and this is a prime example of the Gospel.
This text is the first of the “Servant Songs” Isaiah proclaims to the people of Israel. The first of the clarifications of the coming Messiah and his mission among God’s people. What he will and will not do in order to restore creation to perfection in the age to come.
We can’t read these words and not see Jesus, though, can we? We’ve spent our whole lives hearing these words (or quotations of them from Sts. Matthew and Luke) and knowing that Jesus was the fulfillment of these promises. But to the Israelites, these were new ideas. These were promises that they didn’t really understand, because they were unsure of their future, and for good reason.
Almighty God proclaims through Isaiah that suffering is coming to his people (there’s the misery part!). They have sinned and continue to sin by flouting God’s commands and worshiping idols. But even this will be forgiven them when they hear the One God sends to them and turn to him in repentance.
God does not want to destroy his people. He wants to restore, heal, and lift them up. He wants to gather them together into the place he’s set aside for them, and that will happen through the work of the One to come, the One who will open eyes and free prisoners.
And He will do that with His words and His hands, and ultimately in the giving of His life for all people. The ultimate release from prison is resurrection and life everlasting. Death is the darkest dungeon, and Jesus has destroyed even that.
Isaiah proclaims that this is what is in store for God’s faithful people. Isaiah proclaims to you the same thing. Jesus has come to break God’s people out of bondage and make them a home in his presence for eternity. This is your future, with Him, forever.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Hail to the Lord’s anointed, Great David’s greater Son! Hail, in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun! He comes to break oppression, To set the captive free, To take away transgression And rule in equity. (LSB 398:1)
Author: Rev. Duane Bamsch, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wichita Falls, TX.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.
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