Joy in the LORD’s Anointed One

Rev. Gaven Mize, pastor at Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 61:1-11.

Isaiah preaches Jesus so clearly in this text that our Lord actually uses this as His first sermon text in Luke 4. Jesus is the One anointed with the Holy Spirit to bring about true freedom and rest in His death and resurrection. His work for us sinners removes from us the funeral garments of sin, death, and shame and clothes us in the wedding garments of joy, praise, and righteousness. The liturgy surrounding both Holy Baptism and the Christian funeral are visible reminders of the clothes of Christ’s righteousness He has given. Having received such a salvation from the Lord, Christians break forth with joyful songs of praise because of what Jesus has done for us.

“Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance focuses our attention on Christ’s coming. As we spend time hearing the words of the prophets, the saints who waited patiently in the years before Christ’s coming in the flesh at Christmas, we too are prepared to receive Christ now in His Word and Sacrament, even as we wait for Him to come again in glory.