What can you give Jesus that he desires?
Praise. Thanks. Prayers. Good deeds. Obedience. Following him. Yes, absolutely. But also consider this.
Jesus speaks in Isaiah’s prophecy as the servant of the Lord who comes to help people. He begins, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1).
Jesus is appointed to save sinners and anointed with the power to do it. And look what he comes to receive from you, well, actually, to take away from you. Look what else you can give to Jesus.
Give him your poor spirit robbed of any righteousness by sin.
Give him your broken heart crushed by the cumulative weight of mistakes and blunders.
Give him the shackles Satan has locked on you, sentencing you to guilt and grief.
Give him your tears of mourning, your ashes of repentance, and your spirit of despair.
That’s what you give to Jesus. And, in his mercy, Jesus is thrilled to give you something in return.
Jesus gives you the good news that you’re the chosen winner of his riches of salvation. You are a victor, not a victim.
Jesus replaces your broken heart with a perfectly functional one that pumps forgiveness and eternal life into every breath. Your life is his.
Jesus purchases your ticket to freedom from temptation’s power and death’s grave. They don’t own or dominate you, because he does.
Jesus provides everlasting comfort, and places a beautiful crown on your head that lets Satan know you rule in God’s kingdom. You have power over the devil and his lies and accusations.
Jesus pours perfumed oil on you for a joyful celebration of his grace and covers you from head to toe with his own glory. Wow, you look and smell great in the Lord!
Give Jesus what he can handle better than you can, and he will give you these gifts in return. What a Savior!
PRAYER: Today I give you whatever there is in me that isn’t right, Lord, and ask you to anoint it with your healing, your freedom, and your good news. Release me from my sin to better serve you and love others. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read Luke 4:16-21. Verse 18 says that Jesus “found the place” in the book of Isaiah where these words were written centuries earlier. Jesus wanted the people that day to hear exactly these words. What are some ways where Jesus finds a place in his Word for you today? He wants you to hear him. He wants his words to save you and strengthen you. Maybe it’s a devotion like this, or what else?