The Message: The LORD’s Anointed has been sent by the Father to bring redemption for the sinful man who cannot deliver themselves (Rom.7.24). What is called redemption is God’s restoring men from the downfall and corruption caused by sin, consistently with God’s purpose from the beginning, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness” Gen.1: 26. This aims to cover man again with God’s glory, according to Rom.8:30. The fulfillment of the redemption work involves five complementary points: 1/ God’s removing of all wrongdoings that make us guilty in His sight and that are recorded in His book of remembrance (Dt.32:34), as it is written, “erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross” Col.2:14. 2/ God’s reconciliating man to Himself and renewing them so that they may enter His kingdom, and that He can adopt them as inheriting children and co-heirs of Christ (Rom.8:17), according to Jesus’word to Nicodemus, saying, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above” Joh.3:3. 3/ The covenant that God establishes with man, in agreement with His word, saying, “I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” 2 Cor.6:18. 4/ The building of a kingdom of priests according to what is written, “To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” Rev.1:5-6. 5/ The gift of the inheritance of the eternal kingdom of God and the common life with Him. In this respect, Jesus says, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” Mat.25:34. Likewise, He says, “That where I am, there you may be also” Joh.14:3. Such is the work of God in order to fulfill our redemption, for “it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure” Phil.2:13. To the Glory of His Holy Name!
Monday 13: The Lord’s Anointed brings redemption.
“…the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me … to proclaim liberty to the captives” Is.61:1.
Reading 1: Rom. 3: 21-26. Reading 2: Is. 61:1-3. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Is. 61:1-2.
Introduction: The main idea highlighted here is the reason why the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ, namely, to bring liberation to man by delivering them from their captivity because of sin and the world. In fact, this consists in setting them free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8: 2) by means of the blood of Jesus, according to what is written:“He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His Name” Ps.111:9.
Tuesday 14: The Lord’s Anointed does the will of His Father.
“My teaching is not mine but his who sent me” Joh.7:16.
Reading 1: Ps 40: 4-10. Reading 2: Joh 7: 14-18. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Joh.7: 15-16.
Introduction: Jesus’ teaching is, at its essence, the word of the Father. Indeed, He says: “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished” Mat.5:18. For “the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” Joh.5: 19.
Wednesday 15: The Lord’s Anointed proclaims the “year of the Lord’s favor”.
“The Lord has anointed me to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” Isa.61:2a
Reading 1: Luke 2:25-32. Reading 2: Isa. 61:1-2. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa.61:1,2a.
Introduction: The year of the Lord’s favor or the year of redemption is that of the forgiveness of the sinners so that they may renew their relationship with God. It is truly a New Year as it is written, “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” Isa.65:17. It may also be seen as a Year of Jubilee, a year of release in which the Lord’s word is fulfilled: “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them” Mat.11:5.
Thursday 16: The Lord’s Anointed stands with His people.
“Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things” Heb.2:14a.
Reading 1: Is. 53:4-7. Reading 2: Heb. 2:11-16. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Heb. 2:14.
Introduction: “Making common cause” means here that Jesus shares the history and the burden of man in order to set them free from the bondage of sin and from condemnation (Rom 8:1). In this regard, “[He] emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross” Phil.2:7-8. John the Baptist told about Him: “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Joh.1:29.
Friday 17: The Lord’s Anointed intercedes for his people.
“Christ Jesus … is at the right hand of God, … indeed intercedes for us” Rom.8:34.
Reading 1: Heb. 2:10-18. Reading 2: Rom. 8:31-34. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rom.8:34.
Introduction: God does want the sinners to come back to Him, in order to receive His kingdom and to gain eternal life. Therefore, He sent Jesus who said: “For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost” Luke 19:10. In the same way, He wants to have them dwell in His kingdom. To this end, He constantly prays for His people in order to be able to say to them: “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” Mat.25:34. Jesus says: “Abide in my love” Joh.15:9b. Paul said: “be steadfast, immovable” I Cor.15:58a.
Saturday 18: The Lord’s Anointed sanctifies His people.
“And for their sake I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth” Joh.17:19.
Reading 1: Ex. 19:1-6. Reading 2: Joh.17:13-19. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Joh.17:19.
Introduction: It is written “The holiness without which no one will see the Lord” Heb.12:14b. Holiness is the essence of God, so He purifies and shapes us so that we may have the godly attitude. He said: “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy” Lev.11:44. That’s why Jesus prayed for His disciples, saying, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” Joh.17:17. God’s holiness on us is a pledge of victory over sin.
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