Scattered: Day 19
Luke 4:18-19
As I write this our new king, King Charles III has been travelling around the United Kingdom establishing himself as the new monarch and setting out something of the kind of king he plans to be. Jesus, the King of Kings, announced his mission and the ‘manifesto’ for his kingdom by the reading of scripture in the synagogue.
Luke 4:18-19
“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 favour.”
After reading this passage (Isaiah 61:1-2) he sat down to teach and simply said “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21). All those listening would have known the implication. He was declaring that he was the Messiah, the anointed one, who was ushering in the year of the Lord’s
favour, an ongoing year of Jubilee. In the Year of Jubilee the slaves were set free, debts were cancelled and things set to a new start (Leviticus 25).
As the Messiah he had been anointed for a purpose
- To proclaim good news to the poor
- To proclaim freedom for the prisoners
- Recovery of sight for the blind
- To set the oppressed free
- To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour
His purpose was to declare and establish his kingdom not just within the confines of the acceptable Jewish community but to gentiles and to all those on the margins – the poor, the prisoners, the blind, the oppressed. As I heard someone say recently Jesus has ‘a relentless focus on the least, the oppressed and the poor’.
This truly is good news. We are still in the ‘year of the Lord’s favour’. When the gospel is preached it not only enables people to receive salvation but it also brings the power and the blessings of the kingdom of God on the scene. They are freely available to be received by faith. We invite others to a future where they are no longer in bondage, no longer slaves to sin and freed by Christ to enter the full life God promises.
Jesus said “I have come that they may have life and have it the full” John 10:10 Throughout this vision month we have been considering our call to be scattered within our families, schools, workplaces and the wider community, to be His ambassadors. Jesus didn’t come with a message of defeat or discouragement but of good news for us and for the world. Sometimes our familiarity with the gospel can mean that we forget how desperately those around us, those who are physically or spiritually poor, blind, bound or oppressed need to hear it.
Let’s be reminded today that the Gospel really is good news and let’s share it with joy! “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” Romans 1:16
We represent the King of Kings. As disciples of Jesus we are called to follow him. The same Holy Spirit that anointed him indwells us. By the Holy Spirit we can courageously go out of our comfort zones to preach and serve others just like Christ did.
“Not by might nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord”
Zechariah 4:6
Our words and lives can proclaim the hope and power of the gospel. How can you share the hope of the gospel and extend his Kingdom today?
Sarah Brabban
Life Group Leader