The Heart Of The Gospel Series

Gospel means “Good News.” The good news for the poor is that the riches of God is being poured out upon all people. The blessing and salvation of God are available for all people, no matter your social class, your political affiliation, or the balance in your bank account. Country Clubs and social events are reserved for the rich and famous. But what Jesus was teaching in Nazareth has a much deeper meaning.

The poor Jesus talking about are the spiritually poor and the good news is that the spiritually impoverished can find salvation. It is not reserved just for the religious elite. “Ptochos (poor) derives from a verb that means, “to cringe,” “to shrink back,” or “to cower.” It conveys the idea of a beggar cringing in the shadows, cowering in shame. In contrast to another Greek word, penes, which describes the working poor, ptochos describes those in extreme deprivation who are reduced to begging” (MacArthur). It is the same word Jesus used in the first beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3) (Hughes)

In fact, worldly wealth will rob you of the blessings of God and even your salvation. If you are rich, you are less likely to be aware of your spiritual poverty. That’s why Jesus said,

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36 ESV)

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24 ESV)

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:17 ESV)

I want to challenge you today to get with God about your finances and your wealth. Who is the Lord of your possessions? Many Christians spend more on their Skinny-double-shot-caramel-soy-Latte than they ever offer to the church. Even more importantly, the condition of every sinner is morally bankrupt. Apart from Jesus, every man is destitute of anything to commend himself to God. As long as you think you're a good person, that your religion counts as righteousness, along with your good works, you are destined for a sinners hell.

2. Freedom to the Imprisoned

The second image is that of imprisonment. verse 18, "He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives." God sent Jesus to set you free. The word aphesis translated as “release,” really has the idea of “forgiveness.” Most of our spiritual imprisonments are the result of unresolved forgiveness, guilt, and hatred. Look, there are things and people who have wounded you deeply. There are wounds that go deep in the heart. You have the choice to let go of the hurt and chose forgiveness or you have the choice to allow the bitterness to rule you.

Jesus came to proclaim your liberty. The word, “proclaim” - euangelizo is where we get our word “evangelism.” It means to publically declare good news. And we are also imprisoned through the guilt of our sin. Jesus was declaring the most liberating, emancipating release of all: freedom from guilt through the forgiveness of sins. There is no greater captivity than bondage to sin. It imprisons the mind, enslaves the heart, and incarcerates the soul. If that is what sin does, then what Jesus did on the cross is the world’s greatest deliverance. (Ryken).