Why Was Jesus Anointed? #5 To Proclaim The Year Of The Lord's Favor.
| Spiry Tee
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me....To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV
It is time for grace. Jesus was anointed to announce, by divine decree, that we are now in the dispensation of God's grace. There were different dispensations since creation each marked by how God related with man.
The most popular was when God subjected the nation of Israel under law. He gave the law so that sin may be imputed and as a result every mouth was stopped, and the whole world stood guilty before Almighty God. Knowing how sinful you are helps you recognize your need for the Savior.
When Jesus came, He put an end to the law that condemned all, because the sins which the law condemned us for were punished on Christ. So Jesus took all our sins and the law was rendered obsolete, it's purpose fulfilled and done.
"For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him." (Romans 10:4 AMPC).
Now we are under grace. Being under grace means we are justified by faith in Christ Jesus and not by the works of the law. Under grace, Christ is our righteousness, redemption and sanctification. We receive eternal life by faith in Christ Jesus and not by our efforts in keeping God's commandments.
Under grace, we do not obey to be accepted, we obey because we have been accepted. The grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts so that we can live soberly, righteously, and holy; looking forward to the coming of the Lord which is our blessed hope.
Under grace, sin shall not have dominion over us. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14 NKJV). This dispensation of grace was ushered in by the cross and resurrection of Christ. On the cross we saw God's vengeance for the sins of the world being executed on Christ. He took in His body all the wrath of the Holy God.
As a result, God is no longer counting men's sins against them. Being in Christ means there will be no judgement against you. There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. The wrath of God remains on the unbelievers but for the believer, life and freedom reigns.
It is time for beauty instead of ashes. It is time of comfort where God is seeking to comfort His people through the Holy Spirit. The Lord is giving out in this grace dispensation the oil of joy to those who are mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. In Him we are now trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for His glory. Hallelujah!
SPEAK LIFE
I am under grace and I experience victory over sin, death, and demons. I have joy unspeakable and full of glory. I live in the comfort of the Holy Spirit now and always.
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