📖 Scriptures to Read and Ponder
Isaiah 61:1–3 —
“1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
Luke 4:16–21 — Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 and declares, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Genesis 2:7 — God breathing life into Adam — paralleled in Isaiah 61 with the breath (Ruach) of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 6:2 — “Today is the day of salvation.”
Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened…”
1 Peter 2:9 — “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood…”
2 Corinthians 5:20 — “We are Christ’s ambassadors…”
📚 Sermon Recap
I. Introduction – Kintsugi and the Gospel
The sermon opened with the Japanese art of Kintsugi – broken pottery restored with gold.
This mirrors the Gospel: God doesn’t discard the broken, He glorifies the cracks.
II. The Breath of the Sovereign Lord (Isaiah 61:1a)
The word “Spirit” in Hebrew is Ruach – breath, wind, life.
God is not distant. His breath is active and moving to revive dead things.
The same God who breathed life into Adam is breathing today into lifeless souls.
III. Anointed for Purpose (Isaiah 61:1b)
The Hebrew word for “anointed” is Mashah (מָשַׁח) – where we get Messiah.
Anointing sets people apart — for healing, rebuilding, and restoring.
God has chosen you for this time, this calling, this purpose.
IV. The Promises of the Gospel (Isaiah 61:1–3)
Good news to the poor (Hebrew: anaw – bowed down, afflicted).
Healing the brokenhearted (Hebrew: shabar – shattered into irreparable pieces).
Freedom for captives – Release from spiritual darkness, sin, trauma, addiction.
The Year of the Lord’s Favour – Jubilee, release, and divine reset.
V. Beauty for Ashes (Isaiah 61:3)
Ashes symbolise mourning, grief, destruction.
Beauty (Hebrew: pe’er) refers to a crown or headdress — an image of honour.
God doesn’t just restore — He crowns. He upgrades.
This is the coronation ceremony for the broken-hearted.
VI. Jesus is the Fulfilment (Luke 4:16–21)
Jesus reads Isaiah 61 in the synagogue and declares: “Today this Scripture is fulfilled.”
Jesus is the embodiment of Isaiah’s prophecy — the walking promise of healing and freedom.
Now, the scroll has been handed to the Church — to us!
VII. The Commissioning – You Are an Ambassador
Jesus did not come just to fulfil prophecy, but to start a movement.
We are now ambassadors of the Gospel (2 Cor 5:20).
Called to proclaim:
Beauty for ashes.
Healing to the broken.
Light to the imprisoned.
Joy for mourning.
💬 Memorable Quotes
“You came in with ashes — but you’re going out with a crown.”
“God doesn’t just fix you — He fills the cracks with gold.”
“Jesus didn’t just hand the scroll back to the attendant — He handed it to the Church.”
“The breath of God is blowing again — over every dry and lifeless place.”
“This is a coronation ceremony for the broken-hearted.”
❓ Questions for Discussion
Which part of Isaiah 61 speaks to your current season of life most clearly — and why?
How have you experienced the “breath of God” reviving something dead in your life?
What does it mean to be anointed? How do you understand your personal calling today?
Why do you think God promises not just restoration, but beauty?
Who in your life needs to hear the message of “beauty for ashes” this week — and how can you share it?
How can the church be a community that proclaims freedom and binds up the brokenhearted in practical ways?
📖 Further Reading
Isaiah 58 – The fast that God desires: justice, healing, restoration.
Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Romans 8:28 – “God works all things together for the good…”
John 20:21–22 – Jesus breathes on the disciples and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
NT Wright, Surprised by Hope – Understanding restoration as central to the Gospel.
Pete Greig, God on Mute – Powerful reflections on pain, hope, and unanswered prayer.
🙏 Prayer Points
Thanksgiving – Thank God for breathing new life into dry and broken places.
Surrender – Lay down the ashes of grief, sin, and failure. Ask God for His beauty in return.
Healing – Pray for those who are emotionally, mentally, and spiritually shattered (shabar).
Anointing – Ask God to renew your sense of purpose and to fill you with His Ruach (Spirit).
Intercession – Pray for those still in spiritual captivity, that they would encounter Jesus the Deliverer.
Commissioning – Ask for boldness to live as an ambassador of the Gospel this week.