The Real Messiah
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, I offer You all my praise, worship and honor today. You, and You alone, are worthy of it.
Read LUKE 4:14-21
[14] Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. [15] He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. [16] He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. [17] 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 preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, [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] and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What was Jesus saying about himself when reading this?Surging through Luke 4 is the combined power of the Word and the Spirit, as used by Jesus in spiritual battle and victory. Yet, this mighty warrior is unlike any other.
Jesus’ experience in the wilderness establishes the sort of savior he was not going to be. These Jews would have been taught to expect the coming Messiah and probably had their own ideas about what their longed-for leader would be like: a revolutionary, a political leader, a firebrand. Jesus came to Nazareth with an already enthusiastic following (14,15). When he rose to read from Isaiah, then sat to preach, as was the custom, he had a rapt audience. What did they expect? An inspiring call to battle? Evidence of supernatural powers? What they hear is more vital than either of those. Verses 18 and 19 tell us just what the Son of God has come to earth for. They define the objective of Jesus’ life and ministry, his death and resurrection. He has come for the poor, imprisoned, blind and oppressed, however we understand those terms. Only by somehow joining with these people can we know his salvation.
Apply
Pray that you find a way to be identified with the groups described in vs. 18 and 19.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, may I be among those who know the grace and power of Your life living in and through us.
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