Our Just and Merciful Savior

Today’s Verse

“The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: ‘The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.’. . . Then he began to speak to them. ‘The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!’”

Luke 2:17–21

Jesus has come to bring real, tangible justice on earth. The book of Isaiah includes many verses that describe God’s heart for justice, and when Jesus comes to earth, the first way he introduces himself is by quoting the prophet Isaiah and announcing that he has come to bring sight to the blind and proclaim freedom for prisoners among other redemptive and restorative acts. These are very real, tangible actions that he proclaims as a significant part of his mission on earth.

Jesus is very specifically linking himself to this savior in Isaiah who will bring justice to the poor. Notice also how clearly he says that this Scripture has been fulfilled today. This is amazing encouragement for us to know that when we participate in the work of justice here on earth, we are participating in the work that Jesus made the huge journey from heaven to do. Doing the work of justice is not just good; it is Christlike!

Reflect:
Read Isaiah 61:1–3 and Luke 4:14–21. How does the idea of “Good News” in this passage compare with how we may normally think of the gospel?

Pray:
Contemplate how Jesus’ just and merciful message is Good News in your own life.

Nikki A. Toyama-Szeto is senior director of biblical justice integration and mobilization at International Justice Mission (IJM). She previously served as program director for InterVarsity’s Urbana Student Missions Conference. Abraham George is director of international church mobilization at IJM. Before joining IJM, Abraham was a pastor and a theology lecturer in India. They are the coauthors of God of Justice. Taken from God of Justice by Abraham George and Nikki A. Toyama-Szeto. Copyright © 2015 International Justice Mission. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press, P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA. www.ivpress.com.