The Mission of Jesus
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14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Bible Passage: Luke 4:14–21
Bible Passage: Luke 4:14–21
Summary: In Luke 4:14-21, Jesus announces His mission to bring good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, sight for the blind, and set the oppressed free, fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah.
Application: Understanding Jesus' mission empowers Christians to embrace their calling to serve and advocate for the marginalized and oppressed in our communities, reflecting His love and compassion.
Teaching: This sermon teaches that Jesus is not just a historical figure but the living embodiment of God's promise of salvation and justice. His mission is a model for how we are to live out our faith in actionable love and service.
How this passage could point to Christ: Throughout the entire Bible, Jesus is shown as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. In this passage, His declaration reflects the heart of God for the lost and suffering, and echoes His desire for His followers to participate in this divine mission.
Big Idea: The mission of Jesus is our mission; as He brought hope and healing, we are called to be vessels of His grace and agents of His love in a hurting world.
Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider utilizing your Logos library to delve deeper into the historical context of Isaiah's prophecy and its significance in Jewish culture. You might find it beneficial to explore commentary on the implications of Jesus' ministry and how they align with social justice issues today. Investigate translation nuances related to terms like 'good news' and 'oppressed' to fully grasp their impact.
Over the last several weeks, we have been talking about the larger vision of ministry that
God has given to the church through Christ. From the beginning, God’s plan to
restore the Edenic relationship between himself and creation meant that he was
going to have to make the ultimate sacrifice to bring about his original
intentions with humanity. Because sin cut us off from God, there was no way
that we could make our way back to him by ourselves. God disinherited all the
nations except Israel at the Tower of Babel when they established pagan worship
against God. Through the coming of Jesus, God began bringing all those who
rejected him back to himself. This is the answer to the “why” question about
Jesus’ coming.
Today, I want to begin to explore the “how” question. “How do we reach the nations
effectively?” Although the why question must be answered first. The “how” is
where we act in the world. To do this, we must start with Jesus’ earthly
ministry. Our passage from Luke 4:14-21 is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He
gives us the foundation for the work he will do throughout Luke’s gospel
specifically and the others more generally. His foundation is the example the
church must use to be effective in ministry.
1. We must know our context for the mission. (vs. 14-15)
1. We must know our context for the mission. (vs. 14-15)
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
"Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit..."
Context: Jesus had just come from His baptism and the wilderness, where He was tested. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, He begins His ministry with clarity and purpose.
Application: The mission of Jesus was Spirit-driven, reminding us that any mission for God must rely on His power, not human strength.
Challenge: Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and empower your life? Seek to align your plans and purpose with the Spirit’s guidance.
Perhaps in these verses, you could emphasize the importance of returning to our spiritual roots and proclaim boldly in our own contexts. Jesus began His mission by being filled with the power of the Spirit and teaching in Galilee, preparing for the greater mission ahead. He showed how our mission often starts at home, in ordinary and familiar settings. Reflect on how we, too, are called to draw strength from our spiritual communities and step forward with confidence.
2. We must define our mission. (vs. 16-20)
2. We must define our mission. (vs. 16-20)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor..."4o
Explanation: Jesus outlines His mission as one of healing, freedom, and restoration:
Proclaim Good News to the Poor: Both the physically and spiritually impoverished are included.
Freedom for the Oppressed: Jesus liberates people from sin, shame, and injustice.
Recovery of Sight for the Blind: This refers to both physical healing and spiritual enlightenment.
Illustration: Think of Zacchaeus, Mary Magdalene, or the healing of Bartimaeus. Jesus’ mission brought transformation to individuals and communities.
Application: As followers of Christ, we are called to participate in His mission by reaching out to the broken and oppressed in our world.
You might explore how Jesus' reading from Isaiah serves as the manifesto for His ministry. This passage highlights the fulfillment of prophecy and sets a transformative vision. Consider encouraging the congregation to identify their unique callings by aligning with Christ’s mission: to bring healing, freedom, and justice. His purpose is our template for service. Emphasize the importance of being attentive to Scripture and using it to guide our actions and priorities.
3. We must work to fulfill Christ’s mission. (vs. 21)
3. We must work to fulfill Christ’s mission. (vs. 21)
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Claim: Jesus boldly declares that He is the Messiah, the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. He is the embodiment of God’s promise to redeem humanity.
Implication: Jesus’ mission wasn’t just for those in His day—it is ongoing and universal. He continues to fulfill His mission through His church.
Application: Have you embraced the freedom and restoration that Jesus offers? Are you living in the reality of His fulfilled mission?
Maybe this is a pivotal moment where you could focus on the immediacy and authority of Jesus' declaration that "Today this scripture is fulfilled." Emphasize that Christ's mission is ongoing and invites us to participate urgently and presently in movements of justice and compassion. Encourage the church to live as active participants in bringing about God's kingdom on earth, demonstrating how our actions can be the fulfillment of God’s promises today.
Conclusion:
Jesus’ mission, as outlined in Luke 4:14-21, was clear: to bring Good News, healing, and liberation to a broken world. Today, we are invited to receive this mission personally and join Him in spreading it to others.
Call to Action:
Reflect on areas in your life where you need the freedom and restoration of Jesus.
Commit to being His hands and feet in your community, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as you share the Good News and serve others.
Closing Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, thank You for Your mission to bring Good News, healing, and freedom. Empower us by Your Spirit to join You in this mission and to live as Your faithful disciples. Amen.”