The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me

THE 2ND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

The Rev. Michael K. Templin, Rector, St. Michael and All Angels in Broken Arrow, OK

Over the last several weeks, if you’ve been following the Daily Lectionary in the offices and on Sundays, you’ve noticed that we have spent the majority of our time in the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah is clearly one of the most important books in our Canon of Scripture in dealing with the Messiah. Throughout the prophet, we see the promise of the Virgin Birth in Isaiah 7. In Isaiah 9, we see that the son born of the Blessed Virgin will be the promised Messiah in the Flesh, but at the same time, God himself. Moving on, we read of his coming and that the forerunner, John the Baptist, would precede him. We finally read of his passion, his death, and his vindication by God and the coming of the Messiah’s kingdom - a kingdom for Jews and Gentiles alike. Thus, we could easily refer to Isaiah as one the Gospels!

Today, we encounter a reading from the Prophet Isaiah as our “Epistle” reading. It is one of the most recognizable passages from the Book of Isaiah, chap. 61:1-3: “ 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

Now, I realize this lesson might seem out of left field for the season of Christmas - where are the prophecies of the Lord’s Nativity? Where are the prophecies of the Lord’s Second Advent? Instead, we hear this interesting prophecy of the Messiah’s work and ministry. One of the reasons is that we are about to begin the Season of Epiphany that is focused on a three-fold revelation of the Messiah’s revelation or appearing. The adoration of the Gentile Magi’s prophesied one chapter earlier in Isa. 60, the Baptism of Christ where he is revealed as the Divine Son of God and as the anointed prophet, priest, and king of the New Covenant, and the coming miracle worker in at the wedding feast of Cana - where ordinary water turns into the finest wine - prefiguring a time when ordinary wine would become the true Blood of Christ in the miracle of the Blessed Sacrament.

In the older lectionaries, there were no Christmas II lections, and the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel from the feast of the Circumcision and Holy Name of Jesus would serve on the following Sunday, but the editors of the 28 BCP wanted separate propers; therefore, we are reading those today! Thus, with the season of Epiphany coming, it makes sense that we would have our Lesson from Isaiah this morning. Epiphany marks the beginning of the Ministry of Jesus, and today, we are given a glimpse of what we should expect of anyone claiming to be the Messiah! We read in Verse 1 that “The Spirit of YHWH is upon me” - as we mentioned earlier, the Spirit or anointing of YHWH was only a normative gift to prophets, priests, and kings, and yet, throughout the Book of Isaiah we see that the Messianic expectation included all three of those offices in the person of the Messiah!

In Isaiah 7:14, we learn that the miraculous “Virgin birthed” Son would be God in the flesh - Emmanuel. In Isaiah 9, we see that same Virgin Born Son of God has the Government of God’s Kingdom upon his shoulders and that he is also the Prince of Peace. In Isaiah 40, we learn that the Messiah is the Word of God; not only is this a divine title, as when learning from St. John, but it also speaks of the reality that the Messiah is the prophetic voice of God enfleshed. In the Suffering Servant Songs in the latter Isaiah, especially Isaiah 42:1 – 4; Isaiah 49:1–6; Isaiah 50:4–7; and Isaiah 52:13–53:12 - we see that the Messiah will make propitiation for the people. He is not only that Sacrificial Victim, but the Priestly offerer. So, we have a compelling case in Isaiah that Messiah would be Divine, yet Human, and that he would be a prophet speaking the oracles of God to Israel and the Gentiles, he would be the King of the Empire of God rectifying the vacancy in David’s throne, and he would be the sacrificial priest and victim.

So, when we get to the fifth and final Servant Song in Isaiah 61:1-3, which is appointed for today, we see that it is clearly Jesus and him alone who has fulfilled these prophecies, but also he is the only one who can. Remember, the saving seed of God - the promise of the Proto-Euangelion is singular! Jesus' entire ministry was in correlation and fulfillment with Isaiah 60:1-3. At his baptism, we see him anointed with the Spirit of God. When he preaches at the synagogue in Nazareth in Luke 4, he is given this very scroll, and the lection is from Isaiah 61, and when he finished, he rolled up the scroll and said: “this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” When John realizes his death is imminent, he sends his disciples to Jesus so that they would begin to follow him - they ask him if he is the one and what was Jesus’ answer? “ Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hears, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.” (Luke 7:22)

So, Jesus is adamant that he is the one who is fulfilling this and that he is the Messiah. We look at the state of humanity as presented in the Hebrew Bible, we quickly realize that the Adamic Fall was poisonous for all of creation, but especially for humanity. Humans were sons of God, no death, no pain, no disease, no famine...yet; this was all corrupted by sin. All of the Old Covenant is its many parts eventually lead up to this one person, this seed, that would be a new Adam, yet also the Theophany of God himself. So, YHWH’s Spirit anoints him, and we see that he preaches the Good Tidings of the New Kingdom to all people - the fall is being corrected, the tyrannous governments are being made, low, and the meek are being enthroned and lifted out of the dust. One commentator summarizes this wonderfully: “The prophets had the Holy Spirit of God at times, teaching them what to say, and causing them to say it; but Christ had the Spirit always, without measure, to qualify him, as man, for the work to which he was appointed. The poor are commonly best disposed to receive the gospel, Jas 2:5; and it is only likely to profit us when received with meekness. To such as are poor in spirit, Christ preached good tidings when he said, Blessed, are the meek. Christ's satisfaction is accepted. By the dominion of sin in us, we are bound under the power of Satan; but the Son is ready, by his Spirit, to make us free; and then we shall be free indeed. Sin and Satan were to be destroyed, and Christ triumphed over them on his cross. But the children of men, who stand out against these offers, shall be dealt with as enemies. Christ was to be a Comforter, and so he is; he is sent to comfort all who mourn, and who seek to him, and not to the world, for comfort. He will do all this for his people, that they may abound in the fruits of righteousness, as the branches of God's planting…” (Henry)

Thus, what Messiah brings is an “eschatological Jubilee,” which begins at his Advent, continues through the work of his ministry and passion, and will come to its fullness at the second Advent when he reconciled all things in Heaven and earth unto himself. So, beloved, as we end Christmas and begin Epiphany and this New Year, let us keep this ministry of Christ in the forefront of our hearts, minds, and deeds. If you’re hurting from sin or held captive by it- the Christ has made atonement and consolation, he has opened the prison door...walk through it you’re free. If you’re burdened by doubts, or you’re looking for wisdom, remember the wisdom of God - the great prophet has spoken - heed his words. If you’re in pain, that Christ can heal you now and will certainly heal you when his second Advent is manifested before all flesh. If you’re struggling with the wars, politics, corruption, and scandals - realize that you have been transferred into a different Kingdom - don’t settle for the politics of men, but speak the kingdom of God into the corruption - he will have his vengeance on the oppressors. He is the comfort to those who mourn and are burdened, he trades our ashes for beauty, and in him, we find genuine Joy. Finally, realize that those same works, miracles, and ministrations that Christ Jesus performed and given to his church. Pray, heal, forgive, free, love, unburden and preach the good news of a new and better kingdom to those people around you - they might not want to hear it - but they need to know that Jesus is King, Prophet, and serves as their Great High Priest. You not only participate in the Divine nature of God through salvation but also as an ambassador of the Kingdom of God, and as the Royal Priesthood of the Messiah. Use these holy and manifold gifts wisely - Emmanuel, God is with you. Amen.