November 7 – Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:16-32
Scripture Fulfilled
The Jewish Nation, God’s chosen people, were waiting for the Messiah to come. Someone who would rule and reign, releasing them from their oppressors immediately. They expected He would come in great power, as a king, and restore the nation of Israel. During the time of Jesus, there were rumblings in the area that it could be a man named John, whose ministry was growing (Luke 3:15). People were traveling to the desert to hear him and were being baptized. John denied it was himself but stated that the One who was coming was more powerful than he, and that he was not worthy enough to untie His sandals. This man would baptize them with Holy Spirit and fire. John identifies Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:29).
After His baptism, Jesus went back to His hometown of Nazareth, where He was known and who grew up among them. He attended His local synagogue as was His custom. The usual order of service was opening prayer and praise, followed by a reading from the prophesies and a sermon. Jesus stood up to read that day a passage that the people in the synagogue surely were familiar with what was written by Isaiah as He read: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” He gave the scroll back to the attendant and said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Everyone was paying attention now. They were intrigued with what Jesus, the local carpenter was claiming. I can imagine what went through their minds. I would think, “Wow! Someone I know personally is the Messiah! This will be just awesome for us! We’ve heard that you’ve healed others, now heal us!” All was well, until He told them plainly that they would not accept Him, just as Elijah, the prophet, was rejected. This was an insult, and their reaction was fierce. In a rage, they tried to get rid of Him immediately by driving Him out of town and attempted to shove Him off a cliff.
This reaction to Him still happens today. When His people share with others that Jesus is who He says He is and that He has taken their sentence of death on Himself, He receives various responses. Some reject Him, and some, whose eyes have been opened supernaturally, believe and act in faith to accept His sacrifice on their behalf. Since His Spirit dwells inside us, to those who reject Him, we have the fragrance of death, and they may rage against us. If they hate me, they will hate you (John 15:18-19). To those who are being saved, we have the fragrance of life – Christ. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).
The prophecy in Isaiah tells what Jesus’ mission was and still is. He came to give good news to the poor, heal broken hearts, deliver those bound in captivity, and open the eyes of the blind. His mission resonates with those in these categories so much more than those who are rich, healthy in body and spirit and self-sufficient. He came to save us. Jesus is the One Isaiah wrote about.
Lord Jesus, I want to help You in Your mission to tell people why You came. Help me not to be surprised, upset or discouraged when some reject me because of You. It is bound to happen, since I belong to You.
