RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-05-27	What Does It Mean To Heal The Brokenhearted (Is.61:1)
		Isa 61:1  "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound In Isaiah 61 the prophet announced the good news of God's restoration for the people of Israel. Seven centuries later, Jesus Christ began His public ministry in the synagogue of Nazareth by opening up the scroll of Isaiah and applying this passage to Himself. Luk 4:18  "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED; Luk 4:19  TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." Luk 4:20  Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. Luk 4:21  And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." The “brokenhearted” are people who are weakened, crushed, or destroyed in spirit. The term describes those who feel spiritually bankrupt, needy, and helpless. The verb translated “to heal” in the original language means “to inspire with confidence, give hope and courage to, to encourage.” In both the Isaiah 61:1 and the Luke 4:18 passages the focus is on the good news as spiritual restoration and healing. As a physician would “heal” or bandage a wounded arm, so the Messiah would bandage a wounded spirit. The brokenhearted people are in the right condition to be met and saved by God (Ps.51:17; 34:18). Psa 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. Psa 34:18  The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Jesus Christ brought the good news of salvation to the poor, the needy, and the spiritually barren, that is, all who were corrupted by sin. Before salvation, sin separated us from God (Ep.2:1–3). Without Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we were all destined for death (Ro.6:23; 7:5). Christ’s redeeming sacrifice opens the way for us to experience His glorious resurrection life (Ro.6:8). Accepting His salvation is our greatest spiritual need, and that is why it is such good news. Now we have peace with God (Ro.5:1-2). Now we have fullness of joy (Ps.16:11; Jn.15:11). How does Jesus heal the brokenhearted? (1Pe.2:24) 1Pe 2:24  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. Christ understands what it means to be brokenhearted: “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Is.53:3). David understood that no earthly sacrifice could atone for His sin (Ps.51:16-17). Psa 51:16  For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. Psa 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. The only thing David had to offer God was a broken and humble heart. But that was enough. God will not reject us when we come to Him in brokenhearted repentance. Psa 147:3  He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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