The Manifesto Of Jesus

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.