Called To Proclaim
Happy New Year! After the year we had in 2020, we have to tell somebody the good news that God is still in control, that He loves His creation and He has set us free from everything that wants to keep us in bondage. As the people of God, we are called to proclaim the good news to those who are hurting, downtrodden, losing hope and lost in darkness. And just as our ancestors watched excitedly through the night in high anticipation of the freedom that would be conferred to them by the emancipation proclamation. Our lesson for this week (Luke 4:14-20a) should energize us to proclaim this empowering word to whoever needs to be set free. May God bless you and make this your year...the year you are set fully free!
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. (Luke 4:14-15) Jesus had been doing miracles and ministering in various places in Judea and Samaria. The news about what He was doing and about His teaching was spreading throughout the country and the people were praising Him. He had been publicly baptized, affirmed by the Father, tempted by satan, turned water to wine at Cana, called disciples, provided healing to the afflicted and amazed people with His teaching. The scripture tells us that His return to Galilee is marked by the fact that He's operating in the power of the Holy Spirit. You need to Praise Jesus and spread the news that what He's done for you, He has the power to do for them too!
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. (Luke 4:16-17) After ministering, doing miracles and gaining praise throughout the country Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. He went into His home synagogue to worship on the Sabbath, as He had done in other synagogues. He was handed a scroll of the writings of the prophet Isaiah to read. The selection of this scroll may have been a random act by the synagogue leader, but it was divinely ordained for Jesus to read from Isaiah at just this time. Our God causes all things to work together. Even when it may not look good, He causes it to work for our good...Take that 2020!
Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. (Luke 4:18-22a) Jesus opened the scroll of writings from the prophet Isaiah and selected this Messianic passage to read. What a powerful proclamation of liberation, hope, mercy and favor! Given all that the people had been suffering through and all that Jesus had demonstrated in the power of the Spirit, what an impactful and anticipatory moment this should have been for those who were listening. Even now, you should be excited to know that the favor of God is available to you right now to set you free!
This is the start of a new year, a time when we usually think about ridding ourselves of negative and destructive things in our lives. As you make your list of improvement resolutions, resolve that you will help lift someone else up. And there is no better way to do that than to proclaim to them the good news, filled with the hope that is found in our Saviour. When you make that resolution, don't be surprised that God will send someone into your life who needs to hear that life affirming message. For the Lord has issued a proclamation fir all who will listen. Regardless of whatever you may have been through in your life up until this point...this is the acceptable year of the Lord. This is the year of the Lord's favor! Don't miss it
I'll see you in Sunday School!
Blessings
