Sermon Tone Analysis
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Intro
It can be hard to sort fact from fiction when it comes to audacious claims
*Muhammed Ali’s speech, Messier’s guarantee, Trump claiming the greatest economy in US history, etc.*
Sometimes true, sometimes not.
Always temporary.
Our passage today has Jesus (at the beginning of his ministry) make an incredible announcement of His identity and kingdom
The claim = even more audacious; the outcome = more set in stone
*Stand to read Luke 4:14 - 22 and pray*
Jesus the Anointed One
Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit
At his baptism, during his temptation, and he returned “in the power of the Spirit”
Reminder that Jesus lived relying fully on the Holy Spirit.
Power of the Holy Spirit is an emphasis in Luke’s gospel (and also the book of Acts)
As the anointed one, Jesus is claiming to be the Messiah
Read from Isaiah 61:1-2; a messianic prophecy.
Messiah = “anointed one”
An audacious claim!
Took place during a time of great Messianic anticipation (under Roman rule)
Simon bar Kochba (135) led a Jewish revolt claiming to be the Messiah
Interesting that this Messianic claim of fulfillment of prophecy is NOT what set the Jews against Jesus
They marveled at his gracious speech and listened intently to his sermon
Stand up to read; sit down to preach; began (continued)
But they also did not believe Jesus, either
They wanted proof; signs and wonders.
Jesus did not indulge them
“No prophet is acceptable in his hometown” (v.
24)
The Kingdom of God
Jesus had announced himself as the Messiah, and he also announced the arrival of the kingdom of God
Cf Matthew 4:23; “kingdom” not expressly stated in Luke, but it is the subject that Jesus is preaching on in the synagogue.
Jesus quotes Isaiah and explains the kingdom of God by comparing it to the year of Jubilee (“the year of the Lord’s favor”)
Year of Jubilee part of the Old Covenant (cf.
Lev.
25:10)
Every 50th year would be a time of celebration and liberty
All slaves and indentured servants freed; all land returned to original families; all debts forgiven
The poor need not continue to suffer, people could escape bondage
This is what the kingdom of God is like
The kingdom of God is still interested in the present, just not in the way you expect
Jesus was not the earthly military leader/king the Jews expected the Messiah to be; the kingdom of God was not the earthy sovereign kingdom the Jews expected it to be
However, Jesus was still interested in freedom from captivity, economic freedom, physical sight and fighting against oppression.
Just as he was interested in establishing something far beyond those immediate needs:
“Jesus is concerned about people on all levels—their spiritual, physical, and social state… The Kingdom of God isn't a spiritual message separated from physical or social need.”
(Terry M. Smith)
The kingdom of God is “both and,” concerned with the present and continuing on into the eternal future
Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom of God, and the quote from Isaiah explains how this is “good news”
Good News
For the poor (v.
18)
In the immediate sense, Jesus came to reach out to the poor (literally).
He is interested in how we use or abuse our wealth
Cf.
Luke 6:20; 24.
There is a social justice component to the good news of Jesus (in this case, economic inequality)
As the wealthy, how do we feel about these teachings of Christ?
Do we resonate with the blessing, or the woe?
In response, let us use our wealth to expand the kingdom of God and lift others up (sponsor child, charity, tithing, etc.)
Of course, Matthew declares it is the “poor in spirit” who inherit the kingdom of heaven
Not just social justice; also speaks to the spiritual humility needed to be in a position to accept the good news of Jesus
We are not worthy of this gift; but Jesus gives it freely
For the captives
“Liberty” means pardon, or forgiveness
These are captives that did something to deserve thier captivity
Forgiveness is critical in the kingdom
Cf.
Col. 3:13.
Only possible because Jesus has first forgiven us (eternal implications)
We want freedom from so many things, but it ALL begins with Jesus freeing us from the bondage of sin through his forgiveness
Can’t move on until this is taken care of!
We are deserved captives, requiring divine forgiveness; trapped with no way to free ourselves
*Analogy of a snare trap (tighter when fighting for freedom*
For the blind
Multiple times, Jesus healed someone from physical blindness
Paraphrase story from John 9:1 - 34 (blind man, pool of Siloam, Sabbath healing, Pharisees interview man, parents and man)
“Whether he is a sinner I do not know.
One thing I do know, I was blind, now I see” (v.
25)
Even this miracle points us towards the greater gift of spiritual sight that Jesus offers; the sight of what is true
Cf.
John 9:39-41.
The Pharisees were spiritually blind; but the claimed to see (know the truth); this brought them guilt
Others (like the physically blind man) were also spiritually blind, but they knew it, and believed when Jesus revealed the truth
We spiritually see through what Jesus reveals to us as truth, not what we want truth to be.
Scripture is at our disposal, revealing this truth (HS as guide)
Avoid “Starbucks spirituality” which is just blindness *show picture*
Jesus reveals the truth; Jesus is the truth
For the oppressed
Unlike captives, oppressed are those who do not deserve their fate
Bible often describes these as widows and orphans (marginalized)
Jesus made a point of befriending, saving and calling those on the margins
Matthew (tax collector, woman caught in adultery, Samaritan woman at the well)
More to the point, Jesus commands His followers to continue to care for the oppressed and the marginalized in this world.
Cf.
Matthew 25:34-40.
What we do for “the least of these” matters greatly in this life....
…and the life to come.
Jesus connects our willingness to care for the oppressed and our entrance into the eternal kingdom of God
“‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (v.
34)
We live out the way of the kingdom today, and continue to enjoy the kingdom for all of our tomorrows
This passage also holds a stark warning for those who do NOT care for the oppressed and live according to kingdom values
Lack of obedience reveals lack of a heart transformed by Jesus; what type of heart do your actions reveal?
For all people (v.
23 - 30)
The people didn’t necessarily believe Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah, but they were willing to listen to his gracious words
They didn’t get really angry until Jesus (once again) revealed the scope of his mission: Not just to the Jews
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