Lesson 5: Jesus ' Mission Statement - SundayJuly 24


SundayJuly 24

Jesus’ Mission Statement

Jesus, the young rabbi from Nazareth, had become very popular in the region of Galilee(Luke 4:15). When He spoke, “the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes”(Matt. 7:28-29, NKJV). One Sabbath, when handed the scroll of Isaiah, Jesus read the first two verses of Isaiah 61, stopping in midsentence just before the phrase “and the day of vengeance of our God” (Isa. 61:2, NIV).
Read Luke 4:16-19. Where have we heard these words before? (See Isa. 61:1-2.) What was Jesus proclaiming by reading those texts?

As we already saw, the phrase “the year of the LORD’s favor” is identified as the year of jubilee(see Leviticus 25:1-55). In this visit to Nazareth, Jesus quotes a messianic passage from Scripture and assures His hearers that “ 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’ ” (Luke 4:21, NIV). In this sermon He reveals Himself as the Anointed One who preaches good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, sight for the blind, release for the oppressed, and jubilee restoration. This list well describes His earthly ministry, which was focused on teaching, healing, and ministering, especially to those in need.
Why would Jesus stop short of completing the sentence in Isaiah 61:2?

Perhaps Jesus stopped short of the phrase “the day of vengeance of our God” because Jesus did not want His ministry to be associated with the prevailing concept that the Messiah would come to lead armies to vanquish the oppressors of Israel and bring them under Israel’s power. That was a false conception that would, unfortunately, keep many of His fellow countrymen from seeing Him and His ministry for what it really was. Instead, He focused on what He would do for those who needed what He had to offer right then and there, regardless of the political situation of the time.
What should it say to us that Jesus announces His ministry in this way; that is, what should we take away for ourselves by His emphasizing here the practical work that we would be doing?


Contáctenos: Mail: iglesialaagustina@gmail.com Facebook: iglesialaagustina Ubicados en República Dominicana, Santo Domingo, Avenida Pedro Livio Cedeño #7, La Agustina.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hablame mi Dios

Lección 6: "Confesión y arrepentimiento: condiciones para el reavivamiento"