ISAIAH 61:1

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

TO PONDER

What I love about the gospel of Jesus is that it is good news or all. You know how sometimes goodness is only good news for some people? For example, if my son comes home with the good news that he won his latest ice hockey game, well that's good news for him and his team but not such good news for the team they have beaten. Often when there is good news for one person or group, there is bad news (or at leasts no-so-good news) for others.

Jesus good news is good for all. Sure, there are some people who do not think it is good news. There are some people who do not receive it as good news, even some who think that the gospel message of Jesus is somehow bad for the intellectual progress of humanity but the reality is that all of us are captive to sin, all of us need rescuing from the darkness of this world and to be brought into his marvellous light, even if we don't recognise that for ourselves yet.

So do not be ashamed of the gospel for it is the saving power of God for all people, even you!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you died for me and thank you that you died for all those who I love and care for. Help me to also proclaim your good news to all. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle