Life: Proclaimed good news to the poor

Isaiah 61:1 | The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

1. Isaiah was written 700 years before Jesus was born, but God led Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets to write about Jesus. Why do you think this is? 

2.  The story of Jesus unfolds throughout the Old Testament, long before God the Son is sent to Earth. What does this tell you about God’s plan?

Matthew 11:4-5 | Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”

3. What prophecy foretold in Isaiah 61:1 is fulfilled in this Matthew passage and throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry? 

4. Why did Jesus bring the good news and healing to the poor? Why didn’t He go straight to kings, leaders, and the rich?

5. What is the Good News? (Hint- the Good News is also known as the Gospel)

6. Is the Good News only for the poor? Why or why not and how do you know?