Once again, Isaiah teaches us through a prophetic description of what our Spirit-led Savior was sent to do and what His salvation does to us who believe. In Isaiah 61:1-3 we learn what the Holy Spirit in Jesus enabled Him to accomplish. Then, beginning in Isaiah 61:3-9 we learn what that same Spirit does in us. Isaiah 61:10-11 closes with a song that every, genuine Christian can sing. This chapter functions for the church by causing us to evaluate whether what is said about Jesus’ ministry has actually happened to us (or, better, is still happening to us who believe). Has Isaiah 61:1-3 happened to us? Is it still going on in some measure? Is it true that everyone of us who believes can truly “be called the priests of the Lord…the ministers of our God”? (cf. Isaiah 61:6) Can we say, “he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness…”? (cf. Isaiah 61:10). Isaiah’s prophecy functions by urging us to evaluate whether these things are somewhat true of us. If they are not, then our presence in worship or our profession of faith in Christ may be futile. Our Lord, of course, selects this section to read as recorded in Luke 4:16-22. Thankfully, Jesus stopped reading where He did! His sacrifice on the cross for our sins made it possible for us to experience His salvation. Certainly something to rejoice in!