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Isaiah 61:1-2; 42:6-7 – Christ: The Fulfillment of Prophecy – audio

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Text: Isaiah 61:1-2; 42:6-7

Introduction

Many years before the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, many prophets foretold the people about him. Perhaps Isaiah, the “Messianic Prophet,” is most well-known.

Isaiah records prophecies of His birth (Isaiah 7:14-15) and death (Isaiah 53). Many other important aspects of His life are also included throughout the book.

When Jesus finally came to this earth, His mission was not to destroy the things said of Him, but rather to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17-18). Yes, every single prophecy of Him came true (Luke 16:17; 24:44).

Peter preached the fulfillment of His suffering (Acts 3:18), and Paul the fulfillment of His death (Acts 13:29). Jesus knew these would be fulfilled, and prepared His disciples (Luke 18:31-33).

Body

Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in the hearing of many in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16-21). Isaiah prophesied these words (Isaiah 61:1-2; 42:6-7), and now the time has come for them to be fulfilled.

A. The Spirit of the LORD was upon Him (Luke 4:18). This was true at one point physically at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), but always spiritually (John 3:34).

B. Jesus was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18). The disciples of John saw and heard this (Luke 7:22; Matthew 11:5). Jesus said those that were poor in this world were blessed because the kingdom of God had come to them (Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20). The apostles Paul and James explained that even though we may poor in this world, we can be rich through Christ (2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:9; James 2:5).

C. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18). Many times people suffered physically because of heartache, and Jesus healed them (as in the death of Lazarus, John 11). However, Jesus also healed the hearts that were broken spiritually (Luke 24:25-27; Acts 2:37ff.).

D. Jesus proclaimed liberty to the captives (Luke 4:18). There was a time when slaves and property were set free: in the year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8ff.). Some commentators see Jesus liberating men in this regard, but also all sinners are set free from their sin in Christ (John 8:31-32; 14:6; 17:17; 2 Peter 2:19).

E. Jesus recovered sight to the blind (Luke 4:18). There are many instances in which Jesus healed a blind person, as John’s disciples were witnesses (Matthew 11:5). A blind man was healed in Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-25), Bartimaeus outside of Jericho (Luke 8:46-52), the man in the pool of Siloam (John 9:1-7), and countless others. However, there are many spiritually blind that Jesus can help to see! He taught the Pharisees that is one reason He came into the world (John 9:39-41). He also taught His disciples they needed to see spiritually (Mark 8:18). Sadly, no matter what Jesus did, some still did not believe and thus were blinded (John 12:37-41; Isaiah 53:1; 6:9-10). Later Paul explained Christ’s role in our spiritual lives (Romans 11:7-10).

F. Jesus set at liberty those that were oppressed (Luke 4:18). This is very similar to those that were captive and set free (see II. D. above). Isaiah prophesied of this as well (Isaiah 58:6), knowing that he could proclaim liberty; only Christ could grant liberty!

G. Jesus proclaimed the acceptable year of the LORD (Luke 4:19). Just as Isaiah prophesied about the acceptable time and day of salvation (Isaiah 49:8), Christ realized it! Paul said that time is here, and the day is now (2 Corinthians 6:2)!