The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the afflicted. He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for those who are bound, Isaiah 61:1

 These are the words that begin one of the most beautiful messianic passages in all of the Holy Bible. They reveal to us the purpose and work of the Messiah in His coming into the world. He would come to proclaim a message of release, comfort, and joy. He would come to preach the everlasting Gospel which alone has the power to change lives from sinner to saint, from spiritually enslaved to spiritually free. It is no wonder that Jesus used these very words in the synagogue at Nazareth to announce publicly that He was in fact the long-awaited Messiah.

 So how do the words of this prophecy then call out to us? They call out to us because we are among the spiritually afflicted. Sin has entered our world and forever changed it. From the time we were conceived, sin has thoroughly corrupted us. It causes us to fear God. It hinders our relationships with one another. It leaves us wretched and alone. But in these words of prophecy, God calls out to us. He promises us release from our sin through the righteousness of this Messiah. He promises to replace our despair with hope. He promises to exchange our penitent mourning for joy.

 The words of this prophecy also call out to us with purpose and mission. In Isaiah 61:6, God calls out to us again: You will be called the Lord’s priests. You will be named ministers of our God. He not only gives us release, comfort, and joy. He calls upon us to share His message of release, comfort, and joy with everyone. We are His ambassadors in this strange, foreign land that we live in this side of heaven. Spurred on by His love for us, let all the redeemed of the Lord be about His business. The day is short. His return is near. Let us do our work of spreading the Gospel as the Holy Spirit reveals the Messiah to the world. Blessings on your mission work.

 Frank Van Brocklin

Principal/Staff Minister

Upcoming at Immanuel Lutheran School this week:

❖ January 20 Church Council Meeting - 6:00 PM

❖ January 21 Basketball - Home vs. St. Paul - 5:30 PM

❖ January 23 Immanuel Lutheran Church Annual Meeting - 11:30 AM

❖ January 25 Immanuel Family FUN Night 5:30-7:30 PM

 ❖ January 27 School Board Meeting - 6:30 PM

❖ January 28 Basketball - Home vs. Zion - B 5:30 PM, A 6:30 PM