The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
As I’ve been thinking about why I’ve made the decision to quit my job in the middle of one of the worst economic downturns in recent history and begin working in a field that seems less secure, the first part of Isaiah 61 has come to mind numerous times. Jesus read these words from Isaiah as he began his ministry—he defined his ministry with these words. His ministry was about proclaiming favor, liberty, sight, freedom, good news. To who? To the poor, the captives, those who are blind, the oppressed. As I’ve pondered these words, I realize that I am poor, I can be blind, I am oppressed, I am held captive by things. Jesus came to set me free, to give me sight—to help me see what is true. He came that I might have liberty. He came to show me favor. He came to do these things for me and for you and for people from all over the world.
Isaiah goes on to explain what will happen as the poor receive God’s good news and freedom. They will be beautiful. They will praise. They will be as sturdy and secure as oaks. They will be agents through whom God is known. They will build up that which has been destroyed. They will repair what has been ruined for generations.
So, why refugees? Because Jesus has given me freedom and I want others to know that freedom too. Because the Father has a beautiful headdress just waiting for them and they don’t have to wear the ashes of mourning anymore. Because I believe that they are looking for comfort and freedom. And because God is offering it.
traveling mercies 