Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Classic Jesus

Sorry for the long pause between posts. The sabbatical ended and duty called, along with piles of things to catch up on. I am still processing some of my sabbatical experiences and will write on that later. But for now, I am fascinated with what I am calling Classic Jesus. OK, its my current sermon series but I would love your feedback.

In the Gospels, there is this ongoing trend with Jesus quoting Isaiah. When he does he is usually taking apart the religious establishment of the day - Scribes and Pharisees. Classic 1. Jesus is in his home town and is asked to read and presumably to speak int he synagogue. The reading for the day is Isa 61:1-2 "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, {2} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn," (NIV).

Actually that sounds very missional. Now there is a lot more to this passage, where Jesus goes on to proclaim its fulfillment and, I believe, in so doing proclaims Himself to be the Messiah. All of that is classic, confrontational Jesus. But in so doing He also gives us a clue. Think about this, what is good news to the poor. It seems to read as more than just poor in spirit. Good news to the poor is usually that they will have something to eat, or a place to sleep or clothes to wear. Jesus said He came to do that - in addition it would seem to the cross.

Connect that thought to another Isaiah passage: (Isa 58:6-8 NIV) "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? {7} Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? {8} Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

I other words, as we do these acts of God's grace and blessing to those in need, our light, the light of the glory of God, will shine forth (instead of being under a bushel?) and the glory of God will guard us and will be seen. It almost sounds like the result will be evangelism doesn't it? It also seems very missional!