“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,” (Isaiah 61:1)
Take a moment. Before you begin reading this. Invite the Holy Spirit to meet you right now. I am praying that Jesus who was sent to bind up the brokenhearted will bind yours too.
"He has sent me…"
There is conviction in the words Isaiah writes about Jesus. He. Has. Sent. Me. The Father has sent his Son, Jesus, with a purpose, with a mission. Isaiah 61 is a prophetic declaration into some of what that looks like in Jesus’ life, but in this verse we see His pastoral mission to the world. Sent with intent and conviction to bind up those who are hurting and in need of healing. Jesus is sent to meet us in the place of our greatest pain.
"To bind up..."
Last year, while helping my sister in the kitchen, I accidentally cut my finger. It was a pretty deep cut which required me to go to A&E. I had a nurse clean the wound and wrap it with dressing. I had to have that on for 2 weeks, after which that wound had completely healed. In the same way, The word ‘bind up’ in Greek is ‘Châbash’ which means to wrap firmly. As I read this, I imagine Jesus, taking His time to clean our wounds, binding those areas that are broken, because He cares. He cares that we as His children aren’t just healed on the outside, but healed from the inside out.
"The brokenhearted..."
Heartbroken is a term often used to describe how we feel when we are hurting at the loss of a relationship or a loved one. I can say, I’ve experienced it a few times in my life. But the broken-hearted that this passage talks about isn’t only that, it’s not only for those who are hurting at a loss, but those who are afflicted and distressed at any account. Be it, separation from God because of sin or even the pain of unchanging circumstances.
Whatever it may be, Jesus was sent to bind, to mend, to love, and to heal our hearts and to apply the balm of hope and joy.
What wounds in your life need healing today? Bring those to Jesus.
Who in your life might be in need of healing? Pray for them and send them a prophetic word.
We invite you to join us as we journey slowly and prayerfully through Isaiah 61 - line by line over forty days.