Luke 4:16-30
Yes, darkness is now chased away by the Light. For the last two weeks we have seen the call to grow and go through the eyes of the Old Testament. Jack Countryman once wrote, "Seven hundred and fifty years before the birth of our Savior, Isaiah wrote of the Deliverer and Redeemer that would come out of Zion. He came with one purpose and that was to show us the way and deliver us from our sin...Let us live in such a way that each day may be filled with the power and pleasure of His presence." Today, we begin a look at such a life—the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.
In order for that Light to shine, the covering must be removed—Nazareth had known Him as the carpenter's boy, and the people must now grow into a greater revelation. Right after Jesus identity had been tested by Satan, He went to visit His hometown. The Sabbath found Him in the synagogue, just like always. He was handed the scroll of Isaiah and began to 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 broken hearted, 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." (vss. 18,19) Amazing—this was His mission; this would be His ministry! Yes, a ministry of salvation and deliverance, in order that our lives would reflect that holiness, purity, righteousness, and spiritual growth. It was about time for it—over 700 years had passed and now it was God's approved, and even elected, time. Yes, it was the acceptable year—not necessarily acceptable to the people, but acceptable to the Lord. Jesus rolled up the scroll, and sat down. And everyone was flabbergasted—every one of them sat there gazing intently at Him for His next word—and then it came. He said, "This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears." (vs.21) What? Are you kidding? Is not this Joseph's son? We have a problem with this hometown boy! How can He possibly even imply that He is the Messiah, the anointed of God? How can He possibly suggest that His life lines up with God's—and worse yet—that ours are supposed to do the same?
And that is when Jesus let both barrels unload—Bam, Bam! Remember that in the days of Elijah, in the midst of a famine, there was one widow who was miraculously provided with food? And remember in the times of Elisha, there was one leper healed? Surely, there were many others who needed help, but those two were willing to submit to the timing of God—to His acceptable year! If some won't receive the gifts of God, others will. At this, they were steamed and tried to kill Him, but to no avail. He was in control—he walked through the midst of them, and "went His way." (vs. 30) They would not grow, so He would go. He will always go His way, neither theirs nor ours! Praise God—He is no longer just the hometown boy; know Him as Lord!
~ Rev. Roy D. Warren, Jr.
