The Messiah's Message Series

The Messiah’s Message  

Luke 4:14-21

Introduction

We have been studying the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. He was about his Father’s business at the age of 12. At the age of 30 he is baptized by John the Baptist. From this point on, we have an up-close view of Jesus.

Jesus is led into the wilderness to be tempted.

Luke 4:1-13

1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you?to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

The Holy Spirit both filled Jesus and led Jesus. This was an intense time of temptation. It demonstrated to the Enemy Jesus was determined. It demonstrates to us the power and perfection of Jesus. It demonstrated the power of the Word in resisting. It demonstrates that the Enemy is not through.

Luke 4:14-15 says, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues and everyone praised him.”

This is a different Jesus than we’ve seen so far. Out loud, influential, teaching everywhere, being praised. His mission as the Messiah is firmly in mind as he begins in earnest his public ministry.

Then Luke tells us that Jesus returns to his hometown. It was his custom to go to synagogue on the Sabbath day. Swindoll quotes Alfred Edersheim, “Every Sabbath at least seven persons were called up to read, each a portion, which was to consist of not less than three verses. The first reader began, and the last closed, with a benediction … The reading of the law was followed by a lesson from the prophets.”

The Spirit has given the Messiah a message and it is one that the Synagogue attendees are familiar with - from Isaiah 61 and a few phrases from Isaiah 58.

Luke 4:17-22

17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “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,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

The Messiah has a message - and we still need to hear it.

1. Proclaim Good News to the Poor

Jesus was born into an impoverished family and he often paid attention to those whom everyone else overlooked. 

-Luke 14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,

-Luke 14:21 “The servant came back and reported this to his Master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’

-Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

-Luke 21:2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.

-John 12:8 “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

The good news to the poor is that God sees and knows and there is a rich reward for all who follow Jesus. Kent Hughes: “Often the poor are especially open to receiving Jesus’ teaching as good news because they realize their desperate spiritual straits.” Those whom the world rejects and overlooks have the full attention of Jesus who loves them and instructs us to love and serve them.