By Andrew Gale, Executive Director of Global Strategy

This passage in Isaiah is one my wife’s favorites (this is actually a picture of Scripture art that someone made for us that is hanging in our house). This passage is an example of the call God has given to us as Christians to love and serve the marginalized. It connects clearly to the words that Jesus reads when he first speaks in the synagogue in Nazareth (recorded in Luke 4). Jesus says:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

In this rich passage, Jesus again emphasizes that this is at the center of his ministry. Much has been written about this passage (e.g., the chiastic structure, the omission of vindication from the original passage), but the message seems clear. If we choose to live like Jesus did, if we claim to be followers of Jesus, that will mean proclaiming good news and freedom to all people.

When you think about the work God has called you to, what verses in Scripture do you gravitate toward?