Isaiah 61:1-8 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek… I. CONSIDER THIS MEEKNESS AND POVERTY, AND SHOW WHO ARE THESE MEEK POOR ONES. This meekness comprehends in it — 1. A pressing sense of utter emptiness in one's self (Romans 7:18). 2. A pressing sense of sinfulness. 3. A pressing sense of misery by sin. Like the prodigal, they see themselves ready to perish with hunger. Debt is a heavy burden to an honest heart, and filthiness to one that desires to be clean. Their poverty presses them down. 4. A sense of utter inability to help one's self. They find the sting in their conscience, but cannot draw it out; guilt is a burden, but they cannot throw it off; lusts are strong and uneasy, but they are not able to master them; and this presses them sore. 5. A sense of the absolute need of a Saviour, and of help from heaven. 6. A sense as to utter unworthiness of the Lord's help; they see nothing which they have to recommend them to the Lord's help. 7. An earnest desire as to the supply of soul-wants (Matthew 5:6). 8. A hearty contentment in submitting to any method of help which the Lord prescribes. II. EXPLAIN THE GOOD TIDINGS OF THE GOSPEL, AND SHOW THAT THEY ARE GOOD AND WELCOME TIDINGS TO SUCH PERSONS. 1. Gospel tidings are tidings of a complete salvation. 2. These tidings relate to a redemption, to a ransom paid (Galatians 3:13). 3. To an indemnity, a pardon to criminals who will come to Jesus (Acts 13:38, 39). 4. To a glorious Physician of souls, who never fails to cure HIS patients. 5. These tidings are the tidings of a feast (Isaiah 25:6; Isaiah 55:2; Psalm 22:26). 6. These tidings relate to a treasure (2 Corinthians 4:7). 7. To a marriage, a most happy match for poor sinners (Hosea 2:19, 20). 8. To a glorious victory (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 3:21). 9. To a most desirable peace (Ephesians 2:14). III. SHOW HOW THIS GREAT WORK OF PREACHING IS, AND HATH BEEN, PERFORMED BY CHRIST. 1. He performed this work under the Old Testament dispensation, (1) Personally, by Himself in paradise (Genesis 3:15). (2) By His ambassador, in HIS name, the prophets, and ordinary teachers. (3) By His written Word. 2. He preached, and preaches, under the New Testament dispensation. (1) By His own personal preaching in the days of His flesh, when He went about among the Jews, preaching to them as the Minister of the circumcision (Romans 15:8). (2) By inspiring His apostles to preach and write the doctrines of salvation contained in the New Testament, on whom He poured out His Spirit, and by their writings, they being dead, yet speak to us from Him and by Him. (3) By raising up and continuing always a Gospel ministry in the Church (Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 28:20). (T. Boston.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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; |
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