December 17, 2028

1The wilderness and the parched land will exult; the Arabah will rejoice and bloom; 2Like the crocus it shall bloom abundantly, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. 3Strengthen hands that are feeble, make firm knees that are weak, 4Say to the fearful of heart: Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. 5Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened; 6Then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy. For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the Arabah. 10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; They meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning flee away.

6The maker of heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them, Who keeps faith forever, 7secures justice for the oppressed, who gives bread to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free; 8the LORD gives sight to the blind. The LORD raises up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. 9The LORD protects the resident alien, comes to the aid of the orphan and the widow, but thwarts the way of the wicked. 10The LORD shall reign forever, your God, Zion, through all generations! Hallelujah!

7Patience and Oaths. Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9Do not complain, brothers, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. 10Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

1The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners,

2IV. Opposition from Israel - The Messengers from John the Baptist. When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him 3with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 4Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 6And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” Jesus’ Testimony to John. 7As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. 9Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.’ 11Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.