Context – Isaiah has been contrasting the worthlessness of idols to the power of God as Israel’s Helper, and he specifically shows what this help will look like in the coming Messiah:

Isaiah 42:1,6b-7,61:1b-3 – “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations… 6b I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness… 61:1b 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, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 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. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Context – In Luke, Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth to begin His ministry by declaring His Messianic connection to the book of Isaiah. In Matthew, Jesus again confirms this connection to John the Baptist, not by what He says but by proof in what He does:

Luke 4:16-21, Matthew 11:2-6 – 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, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “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, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 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. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”… Mt. 11:2 [John] sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Context – In John, Jesus comforts His disciples before returning to Heaven by giving them the assurance that His power will continue to work in them until He returns. Paul echoes this sentiment in Ephesians by giving glory to God for His immeasurable power at work through believers:

John 14:6,11-13, Ephesians 3:20-21 – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me… 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son… Eph. 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!

• What was the messiah going to be doing according to Isaiah?
• How can we know that Jesus is the promised messiah?
• Why can believers do even greater works than Jesus?