Anointed for Special Assignments
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” (Isaiah 61:1)
There are many indicators that bespeak an economy that needs a Messiah! News headlines of 87% of graduates unable to find jobs mainly due to skills mismatch, bribery to obtain forged marks and university degrees, hundreds of police officers wanted over loans, collapsing banks due to non-performing loans, and acute food insecurity in parts of such a fertile country Uganda – among others. The country seems to be tied with such ropes that simple human efforts are too weak to break. I know there are many leaders and technocrats who know the level of our challenges deeper and are perhaps working out some form of solutions. Their greatest need is the Spirit of the LORD.
The opening statement of Isaiah 61 evokes memories of a recurrent phrase in Israel’s history during the time of the Judges; the Spirit of the LORD came upon: Othniel, Gideon, and Jephthah and each became Judge for a season and delivered Israel from their enemies and oppressors. The Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon Samson and he liberated himself and all Israel from enemies such as lions and Philistines. The Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon King Saul and he prophesied among the prophets; again and he defeated the Ammonites who had captured and held hostage some Israelites. The Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David when Samuel anointed him king, and he later won many wars and expanded the kingdom.
What then was special with Prophet Isaiah’s declaration, ‘The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me’? On face value, nothing really; for so the situation had been with many other ministers – prophets and kings, who received a special assignment from God. However, in the context of a nation that had slid into perpetual bondage, Isaiah and all other prophets and kings did not fully deliver the promises of deliverance and liberation hoped for by the people of God. They were looking forward to the Messiah, and these words awaited a greater fulfillment indeed.
When Jesus Christ read them in the synagogue, he added ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’ (Luke 4:17-21). Jesus went ahead in the special assignment of powerful ministry; He forgave sins, healed people, dined with sinners, liberated people from an oppressive law and gave a life, taught uniquely to all, made the great invitation, ‘Follow me’; and finally gave up his life on the cross for all to access salvation. He is the Messiah that the world needed. So we proclaim Him. Every leader today needs the Spirit of the LORD to accomplish that special assignment and deliver the people of God from oppressive situations, following Jesus Christ the ultimate deliverer.
God bless you in this Lent season and in this Mission week.