Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, December 13, 2020
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: God’s Holy Spirit brings with it the gifts of salvation and righteousness—far greater gifts than sparkly things and new stuff.
Israel had strayed from God and were exiled. But Isaiah had words of hope and comfort for those long banished from their homes. They owned next to nothing, and were not in the position to command any honor or respect from their captors.
But God continued to be faithful to Israel, despite her unfaithfulness. God promised God’s Holy Spirit would come upon them. Isaiah described what such a gift might look like. “For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels (61:10).”
There were few grander sights than a fully garlanded bridegroom or bejeweled bride. But Isaiah’s declaration made the wearing of God’s Holy Spirit glow even more brightly. Instead of garlands and jewels, God’s favored would be clothed with salvation and righteousness. To a weary people, these were far greater gifts than jewels. Salvation and righteousness could be worn on a person’s spirit.
As we wait for the Christ child, we can imagine Israel holding her breath in anticipation of the promised Spirit. We know how this promise is fulfilled for Israel. And yet, we wonder if that promise is still offered to us today. We have been led to believe that garlands and jewels will fill the emptiness inside us. But garments will fade. Even today, the promises of salvation and righteousness are far more glorious.
These gifts are deep and eternal. Do you feel them?
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