Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim 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.

This is such a long, compounded description of the commission of the Messiah that the English and the Japanese divide sentences in different places in the first three verses of this chapter. Each decision can be justified, but it becomes awkward when working with both languages at once. Jesus Himself divided it in what is the middle of a sentence in both English and Japanese, when He famously quoted this at the beginning of His public ministry. (Luke 4:18-19) All such considerations aside, this is indeed the commission of the Messiah, and by extension, of all those who serve as His agents, His representatives, in the world today. We need to ask ourselves how well we are doing all these things. It goes without saying that none of us are doing it perfectly. However, this should give clarity and focus to our lives, knowing that whatever our occupation, as the world sees it, we are to be doing these things by the power of God’s Spirit. Many people draw back from that, feeling themselves unworthy and inadequate. Actually, they are right; we are unworthy and inadequate, but that’s the whole point: it’s not us doing it, it’s God’s Spirit doing it in and through us. As came out in the message this past Sunday, we sometimes feel our weaknesses and failures are more powerful than God, but that’s an impossibility. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-30) In other words, it’s not about us, it’s about Him, and He is manifestly able to do anything at all.

There can be a delicate line here, and I’ve come down on the wrong side of it more times than I like to think about. I have been presumptive, sure that God could use me – which He could have, but had He done so, my pride would have been further inflated. I have always liked a line from a song by Don Francisco: “So if the Lord starts using you, don’t you pay it any mind. He could have used the dog next door, if He’d been so inclined.” The song is talking about Balaam, and the fact that God used a donkey to talk to him should teach us both that God can use anything, and that the quality of the vessel doesn’t dictate the quality of the contents. As Paul said, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) I’m to take care of this “clay jar” and keep it as clean as I can, but I must remember that it’s the contents that matter. Going back to Isaiah, I must remember that it’s the anointing that makes the difference, and seek to be as available and obedient to my Lord as possible, so that He may do all these things through me, for the benefit of many and for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that we were able to celebrate Communion with the family in the hospital yesterday. Thank You that You are bringing to reality the ladies’ prayer group today. Thank You for how You are growing and maturing this congregation. All of that is Your doing, and You have chosen to involve us in it. Thank You. May I be yielded and obedient to You all day every day, so that Your purposes may be accomplished in and through me, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!