ARE YOU HEARTBROKEN?
© 2017 by Kathy Boynton (editing by Tom Boynton)
November 5th, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas, is a day burned into our memories as much as “9‑11.” I feel like I’m living in a fog, just as most of you, but I have hope!
While reading my Bible this morning, there were three thoughts that popped out at me from Luke chapter 4. Jesus was in the Synagogue at Nazareth preparing to read from the prophet Isaiah.
“… And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. …” (Luke 4:16‑22)
First, I noticed the word “brokenhearted.” Today we are heartbroken over the terrible loss of loved ones, but Christ heals His own and comforts them.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Those coming to Christ, burdened over their sins, find rest and healing in the Savior’s forgiveness. This forgiveness rises above even the heartbreaks of this life.
The second thought was, “preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” We have an urgent call to present Christ to those around us.
“(… behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
The third thought was “fulfilled.” Christ’s birth, death, and rising fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy and is our only unshakable foundation. Faith in faith gets us nowhere. Only Christ, the focus of our faith, secures us. He is God the Son, the man Christ Jesus.
At a missionary conference we attended, the speaker was describing his work in a country very hostile to Christians. When asked “Aren’t you afraid of being killed?” He responded with a smile, “They can’t threaten me with heaven!”
We sorrow, but not as others without hope. Christ heals those brokenhearted over sin. We must preach the acceptable “day of salvation” which He “fulfilled.” As the hymn writer said:
“My hope is in the Lord Who gave Himself for me, and paid the price of all my sin on Calvary.”
Christian: “Go tell it on the mountain!”
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