Could you imagine president bush or the queen visiting your neighbourhood you would go to great lengths to pull out all the stops, with the fanfare and pagentry, no doubt.
Well I want to say there was a greater visitation this planet has ever witnesssed 20 centuries ago when Jesus of Nazerath entered this world. There was no fanfare or pagentry but a King of Kings step foot upon this planet. But what had he come to do? Well we find the answer in this Passage of Luke.4:18.
When we enter into the arena of politics whether its here in the UK or over the pond in the USA politicians will always lay out their manifesto policies - this simply states their purpose,aims and promises . Yet sadly many of these promises never come to fruition - they put plenty of spin on their promises and never stick to what they have promised! The promises fail to materialise.
None the less in their manifesto document they:
1. Reveal who they are and what they stand for.
2. Reveal their mission
3. Reveal who is going to benefit from their changes.
Here Jesus is fufilling the prphecy of Isaiah:61:1-2.
The manifesto of Jesus.
Luke 4:18.Promises are being fulfilled and carried out in the lives of millions of people throughout world. Past, Present and Future.
1. Jesus reveals His office.
V18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me.
One who is anointed has been set apart by God for a special office in the OT period kings were anointed by prophets for their office as King the greatest being David 1Samuel.16:13. Samuel anointed David. It was the pouring of oil upon the person’s head, which was symbolic to the anointing. It was an outward sign to the inward work and presence of God in the person’s life 1Sam16:13. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.
Israel had great expectations! The thought of a suffering servant who would die for the sins of His people was far beyond them.
What are your expectations? In regard to Christianity? What is a really Christian?
The last Moiri poll in the UK 75% claimed to be Christian. Who is Jesus to you? This week you will see what it is to be a really Christian as we look at the Man who is different “Jesus”
Jesus is the Anointed One.
Jesus the Messiah "the Christ” (Job description) is described as "anointed." Acts 10:38 Peter said, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.”
His ministry has the stamp of Authority
Luke 3:21 His anointing begins at His baptism, which confirms His ministry by the Spirit of God. Here we see the trinity of God manifested in the anointing of His Son with the Holy Spirit. Now the ministry of Jesus can begin. 4:1 full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days. 4:14 Then returns to Galilee in the power of the Spirit and then into the synagogue at Nazareth Luke 4:18,v21 fulfilling Isaiah 61v1
Those who encountered Jesus
Identify Jesus of Nazareth with the OT concept of one anointed for a distinctive mission.
Jhn.1:41 Andrew said, “We have found the Messiah”
John 4:25-26 When the Messiah comes he will explain everything to us.” “I who speak to you am he.” Said Jesus.
Mark 8:29 Peter answered “You are the Christ!”
Have you come to see the unique office of Jesus Christ?
Or are you like those in the synagogue at Nazareth?
V22 isn’t this Joseph’s son? Explaining him away as a mere son of a carpenter
2. Jesus reveals His mission. Luke.4:19 @ Isaiah 61v1
V19 to proclaim the year of the Lords favour,
Isaiah 61:1,2 The picture here is the deliverance from exile out of Babylon as a year of jubilee.Lev.25:9,10. Jubilee was the 50th year when all debts are cancelled and slaves go free and all property is returned to its original owners.
What is your mission in life? Double barreled prophecy
Isaiah pictured the return like a jubilee, yet the release from Babylon would not live up to expectations, as they would still be a conquered and oppressed people. Jesus uses this scripture as it is double barrelled, to refer to himself and his coming mission. V21 Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
Each year here in the UK we see great favour resting upon people as they are knighted by the queen and they recieve honours - the queens favour rests upon them. People percieve that these people have achieved greatness, but lets face it, it pales into insignificance when we consider the Favour which rests upon Jesus.
Illustration; Great favour rested upon a wealthy gold miner,in America he was buried in an avalanche and was buried under 30 feet of compacted snow yet after several days he was rescued - he survived great favour rested upon him.
Yet a far greater favour can rest upon you today greater than escape from certain death! Because of the Lords favour. When Jesus talks about proclaiming the year of the Lords favour, that favour friends has extended into the 21st century today.
V19 To proclaim the year of the Lords favour
Jesus’ mission is to impart grace and salvation to the lives of people in the world. It would be announced and implemented through Jesus Christ. Through his finished work upon the cross. Our greatest debt (sin) against God can be removed and pardoned. God is willing to forgive you! If your sins are not forgiven his favour does not rest upon you but only His wrath! John 3:36
How is this message to be conveyed? To dance? to mime? To act? To sing? To live out your life? No! To preach... Sadly preaching has been downgraded today by many yet it is through preaching that His favour is to be communicated.
The preached word: V18 to preach Good news v19 to proclaim the year of the Lords favour. Have you ever heard about Gods Favour towards you? And if so have you received this message?
3.Jesus reveals those who will benefit from the good news.
Preach Good news to the poor
Jesus is a preacher V18.
During the ministry of Jesus, it was the poor who were receiving Him as their Saviour it was those on the fringes of society who were trusting in Jesus. The crowds were following Jesus (Crowds in the Greek infers a Rabble)
The religious/rich ranks were all the time trying to discredit Jesus. They were wealthy and self rightous. Luke 16:25 Rich man and Lazarus did he seek help? Too late. Luke.18. V22-24. The rich man, who meets Jesus, his riches held him back.
A.W. Tozer said “Let (the average man) be forced into making a choice between God and money, between God and men, between God and personal ambition, between God and human love, and God will take second place every time.”
Why were the poor hearing and receiving this good news?
Jesus said. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Simply the poor who hear and receive this Good news are the poor in Spirit.
Isaiah. 57:15. The Lord lives with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit.
The parable of the Prodigal Son, he needed to get to this place his wealth got in the way.
V18 He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners.
Jesus is a Redeemer
One who frees another from danger or bondage by the payment of a ransom price. It could involve property people livestock and avenge one who had murdered a relative
Our danger and bondage is sin: The Bible says he who sins is a slave to sin. The Bible teaches we are born in sin and it causes us all to have a bias to do wrong.
Sin is like the shopping trolly in Wal mart that never goes in the right direction you want it to go in. Because it’s busted, it’s biased it always goes in the wrong direction - like everybody on the face of this planet are nature is biased total depravity.
Sin has made us prisoners to its devices and binds us to continue in sin.We may of never broken laws of this land, but we all have broken Gods law. Many people are not in prison today but they are just as bound held in captivity to sin. Gal.5:19 the acts of the sinful nature.
Mrk 10.45 Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many.
His death upon the cross was the redemption price to pay for our freedom. He was punished so we could go free
V18.And the recovery of sight for the blind
Jesus is a physician: Jesus came as a physician to heal the greatest disease - human sin. The Greatest disease of sin can be cured!
"what if I had come up with the cure for cancer or aids and kept it to myself what would you think?" Well it the same with this good news we are sharing today its got the greatest healing qualities available to humanity, won’t you try it?.
Although all of us here today can physically see, yett that doesn’t make it true that all can see and know God.
Physical/spiritual blindness
Illustration. Two ladies in a room one blind lady who sees God / yet the the other a seeing lady who is blind towards God.
On many occasions Jesus healed the Blind, Bartimaus for instance although he was blind he believed in Jesus as he called him “son of David have mercy upon me” Jesus healed him because of the mans faith.
V18 to release the oppressed.
How are you feeling today? Are you depressed? Cast down, in the dumps? I want to show you a visual illustration, you see this £50 note who wants it? Of course you all do, it could buy a few things with it. But look I’m now going to screw it up into a little ball and rough it up a bit, who wants it now? Of course you still do. Hang on though I’m know going to soak it in the preachers water and rip it up, who wants it now? Of course you still want it. What’s my point? Because you know what ever happens to it, its still worth £50 and so it is with each one you guys you might be going through a really hard time right now. You could be feeling crushed and ripped apart like this £50 note, but I want to say no matter what you are going through you are of great worth to God. And He desires to heal your broken heart and he can do it because Jesus is the great physician and a comforter to people who are crushed with life, finding life hard and difficult. I know I’ve been there.... Jesus said “come to me all you who are heavy laden and burdened and I will give you rest.” Jesus transforms lives in whatever situation you find yourself.
Remember Jesus is king offering free grace
Today come to Him whatever your situation, believe in Him and receive Gods favour today! Because these days will not last forever. Jesus stopped short on that scrollof Isaiah he missed out a very important part, check it out for yourself (Isaiah61:2 The day of vengeance of our God!)
-Today is the day of the Lords Favour tomorrow might not be, come to Him just as you are recieve His favour.
You see unlike politicians who are full of words - Jesus backed up his policies, He died for our sins and rose again forour justification and offers all eternal life who believe.
Amen
