Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

Isa. 61.1-4 - The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; [2] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; [3] to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. [4] They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. This last text, as you may recall, was the very OT Scripture verse that Jesus read in his inaugural sermon in Nazareth announcing his identity as Messiah (cf. Luke 4.16ff.). What is clear from this sample is that the Scriptures are plain that the coming of the Messiah would involve the entrance of righteousness and justice for the poor and the oppressed. The coming of the anointed One of God would usher in a reign of peace, freedom, wholeness, and justice, and represent the end of oppression and alienation. This devotion highlights the certainty of Jesus’ identity as Messiah, but is rooted in evidences that we do not normally associate with his true Messiahship–his acts of deliverance, healing, and release among the poor, linked to the presentation of the Gospel of the Kingdom to them. By these things, we know that Jesus of Nazareth is the One, the true Messiah of God come to earth.

The students will not be able to actually read the quotations that occur in the midst of the lesson as they are viewing the video. These quotations, however, directly correspond to the topics covered in the video teaching, and can and should be consulted and discussed during your review sessions. Remind your students that if they teach this material, these quotations can greatly aid their own preparation and presentation. 3 Page 186 Kvalbein Quote