Step 1: Know Thyself

Who I Am

Last few weeks we were looking at ourselves as related to Purpose. Today I want us to turn eyes to Jesus. One of the things I love about Jesus is how he knows people so well, but more than that just how self aware he is.

John Calvin in his book The Institutes of the Christian Religion wrote: “Without knowledge of self, there is no knowledge of God.”

He goes on further talking about just how interconnected the two are and that it’s hard to distinguish where one starts and the other ends, as in does knowing God start with knowing yourself or does knowing myself begins with knowing God. All we can gather is that we need both. So just how well do you know yourself? How well do you know God?

In today’s passage, we see Jesus go into Scriptures to identify and describe his purpose. Let’s take a look to see what was Jesus’ purpose. [Read today’s passage: Luke 4:14-30]. The section of Isaiah that Jesus reads is from Isaiah 61:1-2.

Let’s take a closer look at that section and break it down. Who is he and what is he here to do:

The Spirit of the Lord is on him - what does that mean? He’s not doing anything on own terms or out of his own will.

He has been anointed - in the OT, often kings or prophets were anointed, as a sign that God has set this person apart for a mission, that the Spirit of God is going to work through this person, that this person is a chosen, active agent of the Lord.

To Proclaim Good News to the Poor - The word “Gospel” literally means good news. But who is he proclaim the good news to? The poor! Not just financially poor, but spiritually poor as well! If you remember Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. Jesus proclaims, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.” Matthew 5:3. So what’s the good news? That the kingdom of God is here and open for immigration.

To Proclaim Freedom for the Prisoners - Jesus came to set people who are imprisoned in sin, like Zacchaeus and the woman caught in adultery. But those you are also caught in prison of religion like Nicodemus

Recovery of Sight for the Blind - Jesus came give sight to the physically blind as well as those who were spiritually blind. Jesus called the teachers of the law blind, because all they could see were the importance of their traditions and rules and regulations, and they were not able to see that their Messiah whom they had been waiting for was standing right in front of them!

To Set the Oppressed Free - Who were the oppressed? The Jews as they were occupied by Rome, but also those who you were hungry and thirsty for righteousness, but their culture, their past, and their present circumstances is pressing down on them. People like the woman at the well, The Syrophonecian woman, the Centurian. All the people on the margins, “the sinners”.

To Proclaim the year of the Lord’s Favour - All this time, the people of Israel have been reeling from their former rebellion, where God had then destroyed the Temple, sent them to exile, finally left them to be. There has been an approximately 400 years of silence from God since the last book of the OT. With the arrival of Jesus, it was a sign that God is once again shining His face upon Israel.

This is the seven-fold ministry of Jesus. What’s fascinating is that in the gracious spirit of Jesus’ arrival and ministry, what’s left out is, “and the day of vengeance of our God” from Isaiah 61:2.

The first coming of Jesus is about reconciliation, forgiveness, and a free invitation to the Kingdom of God. There’s no fire and brimstone with Jesus’ first coming. But when Jesus returns, that’s when the day of vengence of God will arrive: to punish the enemy and the wicked.

Recognizing Our Poverty

While we live in this amazing season of grace, it is very important for us to recognize who we are. Do you recognize your poverty? We live in an age and culture where no one wants to show our weakness. We all want to be winners at least on Insta or Facebook.

Why do we want to recognize our own poverty? Because of the Gospel. Jesus came to proclaim the good news to the poor. You won’t be able to receive the good news if you are not poor.

You see the funny thing is good news, even the Good News isn’t good news to everyone. Ever thought about that?

When the minimum wage was raised to $15, that was great news right? But to whom? Who didn’t think it was such a great idea? All the people who stood to lose.

As long as your stance in life is, I’m good, I got this, I got everything under control. You stand to lose everything. While those who recognize their poverty stand to gain everything.

Let’s look at what Jesus says. [Read Luke 4:24-27] What is Jesus saying here? I think it’s this. Salvation and help is available to everyone. But salvation and help is given to those that want it. You noticed I said want it and not need it.

You see, everyone needs salvation, but not everyone wants it. Everyone needs God’s help, but not everyone wants it.

You need Jesus. But the question is, “Do you want Jesus?” Is he the desire of your heart? Or do you desire something else? Has your lack of faith, cynicism, or burn out, so calloused your heart that you no longer desire what is best for you and have settled for lesser things? Things that may give you immediate relief, but leave you emptier on the inside.

A New Hope

I mentioned last week that this church has been through a lot. As I look at all of the people who have been here for more than two years, I see and feel burn out. Have you ever been so exhausted that you couldn’t even eat or drink? This is where I see many of you are at. You are spiritually hungry and thirsty, but are so burned out, traumatized, and cynical that you can’t take anything in.

But you don’t have to stay there. Simply waiting it out is not the answer. There is hope.

So what do we do? First step is to know yourself and recognize that you have a problem. Before we can do anything, you need to take stock of your life and be honest with where you are and where your heart is. If you can’t be honest, then you have a long way to go and you have deeper issues than you realize.

This is our homework this week. I want you to do a serious examination of the condition of your heart. Next week, during our family lunch, we are going to write it out.

Check your inboxes this week or our Facebook group to find a cynicism quiz. Just a tool help you get to know yourself better.

Let’s pray.