Spirit of the Lord is Upon Jesus - Part 659

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He hath sent Me because He hath anointed Me to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)

When Jesus initially spoke these words, He was teaching in a synagogue in Nazareth. As was the custom, Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day to read from the scriptures. At this time, the scriptures Jesus referred to consisted of the Old Testament books of the prophets. (Old Testament books specifically focus on the old covenant, beginning at creation and testifying of the soon coming of the Christ.)

As is later revealed, Jesus is the Christ -- although not everyone had recognized His identity. We see this in Luke chapter four. Jesus had opened the books of the prophets on that day in the synagogue, He was teaching from the book of the prophet Esaias  (Isaiah).  Therein, He found a similar version to Luke 4:18-19 in Isaiah 61:1-2. A prophesy that reveals Jesus' true identity for those who would have ears to hear.

It states: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek. He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

After referring to this passage from Isaiah, Jesus closed the book and gave it again to the minister -- as was the custom. The eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him. They wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. They were astonished at His doctrine because they recognized that His Word was with power. (Luke 4:32) Some even questioned Jesus' origin, saying, "Is not this Joseph's son?"

Then, Jesus knowing their innermost thoughts said unto them, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. You will surely say unto Me this proverb; Physician, heal thyself; whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Thy country." (Luke 4:23-24) Some might say that Jesus here was delivering His own mission statement. His mission -- to heal the sick, free the enslaved, restore the brokenhearted and release the oppressed. The mission of salvation that was decided before the foundation of the world was formed.

Still, Jesus knew that He would not be accepted within His own country. The Word stated, "Verily, I say unto you that no prophet is accepted in His own country. But I tell you of a truth. Many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land. But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syria."

At this point in Jesus' teaching, however, note that Jesus had crossed the line for all they who were in the synagogue. The scriptures say that when they heard these things, they were filled with wrath. So much so that they rose up determined to cast Jesus headlong down the hill that the city was built on. But in spite of their intentions, Jesus passed through the midst of them, traveling onto Capernaum, a city of Galilee.

So what happened that these same people who originally wondered in awe at Jesus' wisdom and teachings changed so dramatically? Did they finally realize that Jesus was speaking of Himself when He said, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek. He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

To provide hope and joy for those who believe His Word. Isaiah chapter 58 offers a similar insight to the verses in Luke chapter four.

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seeest the naked, that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning and thine health shall spring forth speedily and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy re-reward. (Isaiah 58:6-8)

Did they suddenly realize that this was indeed Jesus the Christ -- God Almighty in the flesh -- who had come to preach good tidings unto the meek? To bind up the brokenhearted? To proclaim liberty to the captives and open the prisons of hope and peace to those that were bound?"

Jesus is bringing this same message to each and every one of us today. Jesus is still ministering to the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to the captives and opening the prison to them that are bound. And as a consequence, proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord -- the time when our Lord God and Saviour in His mercy and grace moves to make us acceptable unto Him.

This is why we present Jesus -- the only mediator between God and man. Jesus -- the only one who can save our sins to those whose ears will hear. Yes, only Jesus can heal the brokenhearted. Only Jesus can free us from bondage. Only Jesus can free the poor from their destined social status. Only Jesus will deliver His people  from their sin.

Therefore, as Jesus invites each and every one of us to do -- come out from the spiritual slavery that enslaves you. Jesus made a better way when He shed His precious holy blood on the cross for you and I. Trust our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the one and only Christ today. He never fails. Stand in the offering plate.