16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:\u00a018 \u201cThe Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the\u00a0poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,\u00a0to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord\u2019s favor.\u201d\u00a020 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the\u00a0synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, \u201cToday this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Fulfillment.<\/strong> Beginning his public ministry in the region of Galilee, it was not long before the impact of Jesus\u2019 presence carried well beyond the immediate region. News about him spread like a wildfire, in the towns and the villages, where he was well received. On one memorable occasion Jesus attended his home-town synagogue in Nazareth where a crowd was present. Following a reading from Isaiah 61:1\u20132, Jesus astonished everyone, saying: \u2018This text of Isaiah is now fulfilled\u2019<\/em><\/strong>. He was claiming to be God\u2019s anointed one<\/em>!<\/span><\/p>\n The profound implications of his words cannot be overstated. They summarize the substance of his teaching in a way that is not found elsewhere. They lay the foundation for his later teaching (7:21\u201322); further, they form a mission statement, detailing how<\/em> Jesus would fulfill his calling.<\/em> To whom was Jesus referring when he spoke about the poor, the oppressed,<\/em> and the captives?<\/em> Suggestions are numerous and the issues are hotly debated.<\/span><\/p>\n The poor<\/em>?<\/strong> Of the many views that are held concerning the meaning of the poor<\/em> in Luke 4 two especially stand out \u2013 the spiritually poor,<\/em> and the economically (or even politically) poor<\/em> \u2013 people who are disadvantaged for some reason. It may be lack of education, lack of power, position in the workplace, or social standing in general.<\/span><\/p>\n Release to the captives?<\/em><\/strong> It is worth noting that Jesus did not literally release any prisoners, not even those who were incarcerated for religious or political reasons, such as John the Baptist (3:20). God had a bigger plan.<\/strong> The events of Jesus\u2019 cross had yet to occur, and God\u2019s final day of judgment has yet to occur before God\u2019s lasting peace would reign. And yet, this announcement does, very clearly, inaugurate His kingdom.\u00a0Today<\/em>, said Jesus, these things are fulfilled in your hearing.<\/span><\/p>\n There were times when Jesus did directly intervene in individual lives \u2013 there were the times when he gave sight to the blind and released the demonically possessed. His miracles were also parables, revealing God\u2019s compassion and his ultimate purpose<\/strong> \u2013 releasing men and women from their bondage of sin and restoring them to their true humanity. With Jesus\u2019 words in your hearing<\/em>, he was saying that his hearers needed to make a decision, for a day would come when God would ask everyone of us, \u2018What did you do with my Son?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n Clearly many of Jesus\u2019 first hearers welcomed him and his news of God\u2019s grace. While they did not even begin to understand the real significance of what he was saying, we should understand their words, Is not this Joseph\u2019s son?<\/em> (4:22) in a positive, not a negative light. They were encouraged.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a9 John G. Mason, Reason for Hope<\/em> \u2013 40 Days of Bible Readings and Reflections \u2013 2016.\u00a0All Rights Reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nPROMISE AND FULFILLMENT<\/h2>\n
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Others suggest that by saying that he had come to preach good news to the poor,<\/em> Jesus was speaking primarily about spiritual poverty.<\/em> The spiritually poor of the old covenant, the non-Jewish people, as well as Jewish people, could now be beneficiaries of God\u2019s grace. But there is a deeper purpose – Jesus had come to rescue all people who had no status, honor or glory before God.<\/strong> The reference to the poor<\/em> is a metaphor for those who lack honor or glory before God: it crosses the barriers of class, education, religious association, race and nation. \u2018Now\u2019, Jesus was saying, \u2018there is good news for all. God\u2019s grace has been opened to everyone\u2019. The coming of God\u2019s king makes it possible. He would use his position and power in the service of all men and women. People from all places would be able to hear and benefit from the good news.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nYou may want to consider:<\/h2>\n
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Let me encourage you to pray:<\/h2>\n
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