Morgan Teruel: Welcome to the Sandals Church podcast. My name is Morgan. And during this Advent season, we invite you to pause and reflect with us. Advent is a season of anticipation, a time to remember the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus brings as he became God with us. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, let's take a moment to step away from the busyness and center our minds on the one who gives every good and perfect gift.
Wherever you are, whether at home, out for a walk, or in the midst of a hectic day, let these words speak to your soul. May you be refreshed and filled with the unshakable hope, lasting peace, overflowing joy, and boundless love that only Christ can offer. Let's take this time together to listen and reflect.
Celeste Contreras: Imagine for a moment living in a time and culture that has clearly departed from the ways of the lord, where leaders promoted detestable practices that devalue human life, where many gods are worshiped and served, making it difficult to know what is good, right, and true, where there is a constant threat to one's way of life, whether from people of power and influence or from neighboring people groups. Imagine living in a time when chaos and hopelessness seems to be the norm. This is the context of today's passage from Isaiah. Judah has departed from God and the ways of God. They've given themselves to worshiping many gods, especially the gods of other cultures and religions.
They're under constant threat from neighboring Assyria as god prepares to reduce Judah to nothing, sending them into exile. And in the midst of all this, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a future hope, One that would come after a time of suffering. A hope that will bring comfort and healing. A hope that would come as God's gift to both Jew and gentile alike. A hope that would be both for this life and the life to come.
I hope for all of us that put our faith in Jesus. Allow your imagination to envelope you as you listen to today's passage, Isaiah 61. The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, and with it the day of God's anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes. A joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. They will revive them though they have been deserted for many generations. Foreigners will be your servants.
They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the lord has blessed.
I am overwhelmed with joy in the lord, my god. For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. The sovereign lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him.
His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring with plants springing up everywhere. As you hear these words, what has stirred in your imagination? In your heart or in your mind? What perspective of Jesus does this passage give you that you didn't have before? How does it remind or strengthen an existing perspective?
How does this view of Jesus bring hope to you today?