Isaiah 61:1

Isaiah was a very good prophet who spoke on God’s behalf to Israel. The title of chapter 61 is “Good News for The Oppressed”. All throughout the book of Isaiah, he is encouraging, rebuking, and pointing to Jesus.

Isaiah was probably talking about himself in our verse today. That job description is something God anointed him to do. However, in Luke 4:16-21 in His hometown of Nazareth, in the synagogue, Jesus read this out loud then boldly proclaimed, “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

I think Isaiah said it for 2 reasons. 1. It was part of his anointing and calling from God. 2. Jesus would fully fulfill it in what He came to earth to do. “Captives being released” and “prisoners set free” was probably thought of as literal. But how many people do you know walking around that are captive and in prison to something? God sent Jesus so we could be free of any shame, guilt, condemnation, religion, and sin in general. Jesus sets us free! (If we let Him!)