-CHRIST'S MISSION OF HOPE~~
--Jesus Christ, Our Creator (Colossians 1:15-22)

--Isaiah 61:1-3 ~~
"...to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."-
(--Isaiah 42:7)

--IN Isaiah 61 we read about God's kindness, His approval, His friendly regard. The prophet Isaiah explains how we are under God's favor. Jesus quotes verse 1 and part of verse 2 in Luke 4:18,19. When He read to the people in the synagogue, He stopped in the middle after the words, "to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor."

Although Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus Christ, the prophet was specifically telling us about Christ's mission. What a rare privilege it is to be coworkers with the Messiah in fulfilling His mission!

I was once that person who was blind, living a street life. I was held captive in the prison of my own mind, thinking the street life was something glorious. And I was trapped in the darkness of my sin. But now that I know Jesus as my Savior, my eyes have been opened and I am no longer held captive by my past.
No longer trapped in darkness, I am now covered with the light of Christ, our Creator. Being free in Christ and being welcomed into God's favor are the best freedoms I could ever know.~~

--Written By: A. Brown
--Danville Correctional Ctr. ~~