Luke 4

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Luke 4:16-21,  He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,  and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.  He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Our God is a God of mission.  His mission from the beginning was to redeem his world and restore it to its intended purpose.  We see throughout scripture how God’s plan unfolds.  First, he pours himself into the nation of Israel, revealing his character, and shaping a new kind of people.  But, if you’ve read the Old Testament, you know what happens.  Israel repeatedly disobeys God and eventually rebels against God until there is no turning back. 

And just when we think all is lost, God speaks through the prophets and the next part of his mission begins to unfold.  He says, “It may seem like things are hopeless now but they aren’t because someday, I’m going to send someone who will restore the people of Israel to me.  This person will be a light to the Gentiles, and will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth and it will be obvious once more that your God reigns.”  And then 600 years after that prophecy in Isaiah, in God’s perfect timing, his mission becomes more full and complete through the person of Jesus Christ who fulfilled this promise of reconciliation and “making things right again.” 

That’s where we find ourselves in today’s Scripture.  Jesus has gone to his hometown in Nazareth, he has read this prophecy from the book of Isaiah about the coming Messiah, and he shocks them with his words.  What Jesus is saying here is, “Guess what, guys?  I am the long-expected redeemer.  I am the one who came to fulfill the mission of God.  To put things to right, GOD SENT ME!” 

That is the miracle of Christmas.  God came in human form in the person of Jesus to redeem the world and put things right again.  Why did the shepherds worship him?  Why did the angels sing?  Not because he was just a really special baby.  Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, the one they had been waiting for hundreds of years. 

And while he announces this in today’s focus verses, not many believed him.  The question is --- do you?

Let’s pray (or feel free to sing)…

Come thou long-expected Jesus.

Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.