The Comfort of a Hug

Today's Reading: Isaiah 61:1-7

Your momma told you the truth: First impressions are important! 

The first time you meet someone or hear someone speak will influence the way you see that person.  For a preacher, first sermons are very important.  Jesus knew that as well. (Maybe his mother told him?)  At any rate, he chooses an interesting text for his first lesson when he gets back home to Nazareth after his 40 days in the dessert.  He could have chosen many scriptures to preach from.  After all, he authored them all! But when handed the scroll of Isaiah he opens to a beautiful passage about the power of God’s word to bring comfort:

    “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor…”

What a wonderful cascade of beautiful promises of hope and encouragement.  And that’s barely half the passage.  Jesus stopped there but his Hebrew hearers knew well that the promises continued: “to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning…”

As I read it, it feels like a hug from a friend when you are hurting or an embrace from a loved-one when you are in tears.  When close friends suffered a painful loss we went to see them.  There was no speech to be given: they just needed to be held.  The message of God does just that.  It holds us in the arms of good news, comforting news. When we open God word and let it pour into our souls it brings peace and beauty instead of the pain and despair that is often all around.  Think about it: How often is what you hear on the news really “good news”? 

God’s word is a powerful reservoir of hope and comfort for the hurting and alone.  His message is simple: 

I’m here and I care. 

I know your heartaches and I will walk with you through them.

I love you so much…

As you read God’s word this year, listen for that voice of comfort and strength.  It will give your soul the courage you need to face any foe or any fear.

And then share it with someone.  For Jesus didn’t say he was sent to just know good news for the poor.  He came to preach it.  And then he asks you and me to do the same.

Happy New Year and Blessed Good News to you and yours!

- Jeff Walling