Isaiah 61

Order of Service

• Scripture Reading — Isaiah 61
• Sermon
• Prayer of Closing

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Sermon Title: The Anointed Redeemer and the Fulfilled Zion

Scripture: Isaiah 61

I. The Covenant Foundation of God's Saving Work

A. God's purpose in saving his people goes far beyond mere forgiveness of sins — it includes restoring wholeness, relationship, glory, and an eternal home B. Isaiah 59:20-21 introduces the two interwoven themes of the remaining chapters

1. A vision for a fulfilled Zion
2. Victory for a faithful Redeemer C. Isaiah 61:8 declares an Everlasting Covenant — echoing Isaiah 59:21
3. God's saving work has always operated by covenant, from Genesis 3:15 onward
4. The covenant ceremony in Genesis 15 — God alone passes through the pieces, securing the covenant unilaterally
5. Genesis 22 and the sacrifice of Isaac point forward to God providing a substitute D. In the servant songs (Isaiah 42, Isaiah 49), the Lord gives the servant as a covenant for the people — fulfilled in Christ's death and sacrifice E. Calvin's summary: the promises of God are the ornate stones of the building, built upon the foundation of covenant

II. The Gifts Given to the Redeemer

A. Isaiah 59:21 identifies two gifts given to the Redeemer: the Spirit and the Word

1. The singular "you" in Isaiah 59:21 shifts the address from Zion collectively to the Redeemer personally
2. Chapter 61 fills out the meaning and purpose of these two gifts B. Spirit and Word are consistently paired throughout Scripture
3. Jesus promises the Spirit of Truth to lead into all knowledge — John 16
4. Paul pairs Spirit and Word in 1 Corinthians 2 C. The work of the Redeemer by the Spirit is word work — proclamation, announcement, declaration

III. The Benefits of the Redeemer's Work for Zion

A. Isaiah 61:1-3 describes the recipients of the Redeemer's work

1. The poor, the brokenhearted, captives, those who mourn — the lowly and downcast
2. Their condition reveals the depth of human need that the Redeemer addresses B. The Redeemer's word work matches the need of his people
3. Good news proclaimed to the poor
4. Binding up the brokenhearted
5. Liberty to captives — spiritual captivity to sin is in view, not only physical captivity
6. The Year of Jubilee: the year of the Lord's favor, when debts are cancelled and captives freed C. Jesus claims the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2 in Luke 4:16-21
7. Reading from the Isaiah scroll in the Nazareth synagogue, Jesus stops mid-sentence at the end of Isaiah 61:2a and declares: "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing"
8. This announcement follows immediately upon his defeat of Satan in the wilderness — the crushing of the serpent's head has begun
9. The day of vengeance (Isaiah 61:2b) awaits final fulfillment at Christ's return D. The already/not yet structure of fulfillment
10. Partial fulfillment: Israel's return from Babylon
11. Already fulfilled in Christ: sinners set free from captivity, the brokenhearted bound up, the Year of Jubilee inaugurated
12. Not yet: final and full fulfillment at the consummation — the new Zion, the new home, no more mourning or tears E. The closing image of Isaiah 61:10-11: the Lord clothes his people in garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness; righteousness and praise will sprout before all the nations