Surprised by Grace (10): No Room for Vengeance

Even non-believers pause when they realise what Jesus said in his first speech in the synagogue, according to the Gospels, matched exactly what was uttered several hundred years ago in the Book of Isaiah.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Lk 4:16-20 NIV)

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,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair. (Isa 61:1-3 NIV)

There is no need to engage in scholarly debates. Any non-believer can get the drift.
Several hundred years apart.
Similar claim to authority.
Similar oppressed audience.
Even in 2021.
Especially in 2021.

Jesus was giving hope to the oppressed. Jews in two different times.
Different times.
Same longing.
Jesus’ message of hope and consolation was exactly what was needed.
The Good News.
That’s wanted.
Even in 2021.

The Good News was so good.
Still is.
Even in 2021.

So good and so forceful.
Jesus was saying He came to do what was promised several hundred years ago in the Book of Isaiah.
He was the fulfilment.
How powerful.
It couldn’t be wrong.
Promised several hundred years ago.
Delivered now.
Case closed.
Or was it?

Jesus spoke the words recorded in Isaiah 61.
The book has a total of 66 chapters.
When it reaches the end, the final three verses read:
“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the LORD, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the LORD. “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” (Isa 66: 22-24 NIV)

The question then gets asked.
If Jesus delivered what was promised in Isaiah 61, would he not deliver also promised in Isaiah 66?

The Good News would have been REALLY good.
Except for the “dead bodies” in the final verse of the Book of Isaiah!

And who are the dead bodies?
Why is there a need for the dead bodies in a Good News?

It normally is argued that a Good News has no room for vengeance.
Comedy has no room for tragedy.

Where is the surprise?
Does grace have room for vengeance?