Luke 4:18

Recap first part of Luke- 40 day fasting, temptation, teaching in capernium, etc.

At this point, Jesus was becoming a well-known teacher. So, nothing unusual about Jesus coming to Nazareth and teaching. Jesus attended a synogue that he frequented throughout his life. These people knew him as the son of the carpertner. Jesus got up to read from the scroll, however, selected a messianic passage.

Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

interesting that he stopped short of this passage: hand the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;” - Jesus first advent was not time for judgement.

Often, the Jewish people wondered who Isaiah spoke of in 61 and when this would happen. Jesus answered two questions with his reposnse. It was Him. And it was now.

NT Wright Quote

“Luke 4:16-30 offers a programmatic description of Jesus’ ministry, introducing the various motifs of Luke/Acts: spirit, mission, christology, Israel’s rejection of Jesus, and God’s acceptance of outcasts.” - NT Wright

Dissect 61:1-2

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me- Jesus understood his annoitment from the Father and understood why he was on earth

Bring good news to the poor/to heal the brokenhearted- - Sin impoversihes, and the Messiah brings good news to the poopr. Luke 6:20- beautides blessed are you that are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God

liberty to the captive (old testament- literally letting the slaves go)- now means freedom from our sin

recovery of sight to the blind- both figuratively and physically. Sin blinds us, the Messiah comes to heal our spiritual and moral blindess.

liberty to those that are oppressed- healing the sick, casting out demons, forgiving sins

Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor- year of Jubillee- all debts forgiven

Jesus gives the scroll back to the attedant, sits down, and says, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. This begins the teaching of Jesus

The crowed was initially amazed (more like alarmed) and then grew hostile. They wanted proof that Jesus was who he just claimed to be. They had heard of his works in Capernaum and wanted to see those works now. Jesus spoke instead of one Israel overcoming it’s enemies but on God’s welcoming of outsiders

Jesus could sense the distained and noted two instrances in which God’s prophet’s ministered miraculous acts of grace to Gentiles while Israel was in unbelief.

Important to realize the connection between the old and new testament here.

What is your mission? What is your purpose? Why do you exist? Could you define who you are, and what your are about, in two or three sentences?