Luke 4:14-21 After Jesus finished His 40 day fast in the wilderness where He had been tempted by the devil, He went to Galilee where He had a successful time of teaching and preaching. When He moved on to Nazareth His reception was quite different. They knew Him and His family. This being true, what could He possibly offer them? The miracles He did there were limited because of their unbelief. On one Sabbath in Nazareth, He made a rather startling announcement - He gave His mission statement. Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." He had been asked to read the second reading of the service - from the prophets (the first was always from the Law of Moses). The problem was not what was read, but that He applied it to Himself and to His ministry. He was saying, "I am the Messiah." In the commentary that followed in verses 24 to 29, He was telling them that God's rescue efforts were not for those Jews who were rebellious and thought that they had some sort of special rating with God; but to those who were in trouble and were hurting and had no hope and knew it. God can't help you if you think you have all the answers and are trying to make the grade in your own strength. Are you poor, bound up, blind, oppressed? If so there is Good News for you - Jesus, your Deliverer is here with arms open wide for you. Waiting, His mission hasn't changed. He hasn't returned yet, so it is still the "year of the Lord's favor - the door is still open.

Jesus' Mission - the Same Today