“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.  Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV

Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, was sent from the presence of the Father, born as a man, and anointed of the Spirit of God for a specific purpose. Isaiah prophesied the wonderful things that Jesus would come to do for us and Luke 4 records that Jesus Himself read from Isaiah in the synagogue, proclaiming, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears!”  Jesus was anointed to preach the good news – the good news is that everything that God had promised Abraham and his descendants was about to be fulfilled.

Jesus was sent to bind up the brokenhearted – to reach down into the hearts of men and women and make them whole again. More than physical pain, the greatest pain in people’s lives is psychological pain, caused by abuse and injustice. Doctors can alleviate most physical pains, but only Jesus can heal psychological pain.

Jesus was sent to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. Whatever holds you captive, Jesus can break its hold on you. Jesus is anointed to destroy yokes of bondage – yokes of fear, yokes of addiction, yokes of oppression, and any other yoke of the devil that men carry on their necks.  Acts 10:38 says that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Jesus was sent to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God. God’s Year of Jubilee had begun – a time when all that had been stolen from God’s children would be restored to them and all those who had robbed God’s children would be brought to account.

Jesus was sent to comfort all that mourn. Jesus is our comfort in times of sorrow. Jesus has good news for all those who mourn – He has removed the source of your grief. Even death has no more power over the believer. Your loved ones in the Lord may have died and yet they live on in eternity, waiting your arrival. You may miss them now, yet, at the same time, you rejoice in their passing because they are fully free and you will see them again.

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  Psalms 30:5 KJV

Jesus was sent to give you beauty for ashes. Only Jesus can make something beautiful out of the devastation that sin, sickness and the devil have wrought in your life.

Jesus was sent to give you the oil of joy for mourning. Oil smoothes out the rough spots – the oil of joy makes everything easier. Joy lightens your load and makes the road seem much shorter and smoother. Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Jesus was sent to give you the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. In Jesus you have a reason to rejoice. When Jesus takes over your life, all the heaviness and weariness of life is lifted and peace and joy fill your heart. You wear your praise like a garment – instead of heaviness, you are covered with joy.

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  Habakkuk 3:18 KJV

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.  Isaiah 51:11 KJV

Jesus was sent that you might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. You are a righteous tree in God’s garden. Righteousness is not earned – it is bestowed upon you by God’s grace – but you must walk in the reality of your righteousness and leave sin behind you. When you do this, your righteousness brings glory to God.