Spiritually Yours

A Practical application of principles contained in the International Sunday Lessons

UNIT 3: JESUS’ Ministry of Compassion

LUKE’S MISSION STATEMENT

 LESSON TEN

LUKE 4:16-24, 28-30 

KEY VERSES: “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” (Luke 4:18).

This lesson begins with JESUS’ ‘initial’ (trial or ordination) Sermon as HE begins HIS MINISTRY in Nazareth (following HIS ‘teaching’ in the synagogue in Galilee v.15), after being tempted by Satan in the wilderness (4:1-13), which was preceded by HIS baptism by John the Baptist (3:21-22).

According to our lesson text, after JESUS was “handed the book of the Prophet Isaiah” HE found the place in the scripture that related specifically to HIS purpose and mission here on earth (v.17). For HE said that in addition to HIS “anointing” to “preaching the GOSPEL to the poor, HE had a five-fold ministry to carry out: to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, To preach the acceptable year of the LORD (v.18).

After the completion of HIS reading, closing the book and giving it back to the minister, JESUS proceeded to astonish audience by proclaiming that “this day is this Scripture fulfilled in hearing” (v.21). Because of their response to this revelation by JESUS, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” (v.22), HE then went on to say “no prophet is accepted in his own country” (v.24). The people were so enraged that they, according to the Scripture, “...rose up, and thrust HIM out of the city, and led HIM to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might cast HIM down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, HE WENT HIS WAY” (vv.28-30).

1.      JESUS PROCLAIMS HIS MISSION (Luke 4:16-21)

From the time that John the Baptist announced HIS COMING, there had been a great anticipation of the arrival of JESUS. For before John’s revelation that he was not THE CHRIST the people awaited, in response to their question in Luke 3:15, the people had been looking and longing for THE MESSIAH whom John described as “...ONE mightier than I...whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose” (3:6).

After HIS baptism, JESUS is led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, then to begin HIS MINISTRY in Galilee “where HE taught in the Synagogues, being glorified by all” (4:14-15).

However, it was not until JESUS arrived in Nazareth, “where HE had been brought up” and preached HIS ‘ordination’ Sermon that HE proclaimed HIS PURPOSE FOR BEING ON THIS EARTH. JESUS did this simply by turning to the Book of Isaiah Chapter 6:1-2 and read of Isaiah’s prophecy in reference to HIM. Isaiah had already told us in Chapter 11:1-2 that “there shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a BRANCH shall grow out of HIS roots. The SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHALL REST UPON HIM, THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING, THE SPIRIT OF COUNSEL AND MIGHT, THE SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE AND OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD.”

JESUS made it clear in HIS declaration in verse 21 that “TODAY this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” This was simply to let them know that it was time for HIM to “work the works of HIS FATHER WHO sent HIM while it was day. There was no more time to lose. It was HIS time to do, plain and simply, what HE had come down from HIS THRONE IN GLORY to accomplish, before HIS RETURN to that scene that HE shared with us in Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 25:31, “When THE SON OF MAN comes in HIS GLORY, and all the HOLY ANGELS with HIM, then HE WILL SIT ON THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY.”

 This same MISSION that was JESUS came to fulfill was the same MISSION that HE passed on to HIS disciples when HE sent them out later in Chapter 9,”Then HE called HIS twelve disciples together and gave them POWER and AUTHORITY over all demons, and to cure diseases. HE sent them to preach the kingdom of GOD and to heal the sick (vv.-2; Matthew 10:7-8).

Today, I must add, that same MISSION has been passed on to those of us profess to be the BODY OF CHRIST here on earth. Our “duty,” while it is day, is no less than to carry on the “fivefold MINISTRY” in addition to “preach the Gospel to the poor:” 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.”

2.      THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME! (vv.22-24)

 It would seem to me that if one has achieved fame and notoriety in other places in the world, and has been received with open and gracious spirit for their accomplishments, that one’s hometown would more than OPEN THEIR ARMS WIDE TO RECEIVE THEIR OWN. However, we discover in this lesson that if JESUS THE SON OF GOD was not received in HIS hometown, “where HE had been brought up,” we can expect no more in our hometown.

In the “Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy is prompted to repeat the phrase “there’s no place like home” in order to return to Kansas out of her existing adventure away from home. This was supposed to be better than being in a strange land, among strange people. Yet in this lesson, we find that that is not necessarily true. And the apparent problem revolves around the fact that people cannot get over where one was born, or lived, went to school, or some other trivial non-essential factor having nothing whatsoever to do with what one has accomplished in life.

What JESUS understood was that HE did not come to become popular, or to please the crowds. HE let it be known that HE came for a specific purpose and was not concerned about trying to impress them by performing some of the miracles they had heard HE performed in other places. However, HE knew that even if HE did perform for them that there would be no difference in their response to HIM. HE knew that they would not be able to get over the fact that HE was brought up as the son of a carpenter, and probably also worked at the trade HIMSELF early in life. They went to school with HIM. They watched HIM play as the other children around the city. Thus, they just could not conceive that this ‘local’ boy could go on to become that fulfillment of GOD’S PROMISE TO HIS PEOPLE.

Just as GOD sent HIS SON to carry out HIS PLAN FOR THE SALVATION OF MANKIND, GOD is still “calling and sending” whosoever will go into all the world to, as we have learned in previous lessons, MINISTER TO HIM by, giving meat to the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, taking in a stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and going unto those in prison. For HE declared that when we “have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it UNTO ME” (Matthew 25:35-40).

When we have been obedient to our call, as JESUS was in spite of the rejection by HIS hometown, then will “THE KING” say unto to us (when we get to our TRUE HOMETOWN IN GLORY), “Come ye BLESSED of MY FATHER, inherit THE KINGDOM prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).    

3.      YOU CAN’T TOUCH THIS (vv.28-30)

 Up to the point of our previous section when JESUS was rejected in HIS hometown, the people simply “marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of HIS MOUTH” (V.22) before HE stated that “no prophet is accepted in his own country” (v.24). However, what HE followed this statement up with is what infuriated the people who were witnesses of HIS proclamation even that even though there were “many widows” in Israel during the time of Elijah “when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine in all the land,” GOD did not send the prophet to any except the widow Zarephath” (v.25-26).

Many scholars argue the rationale for their anger in different ways; some feel that the people were angry because of the truth of JESUS’ statement and understood its reference to them, others think that they were upset because HE was trying to make HIMSELF more than HE was, a carpenter’s son. But whatever the reason, they became so angry that they literally drove HIM out of town for the specific purpose of killing JESUS by throwing HIM off the very cliff on which their city was built. This shows that their intention was not just for HIM to leave town, but they wanted JESUS to leave this earth. They wanted HIM dead!

THANK GOD THAT JESUS IS WHO HE IS...GOD’S BELOVED SON! HE knew that no man could take HIS LIFE until HE was ready to give it up. HE knew that HIS time had not yet come to return to HIS FATHER. They may have thought that they were in charge, but JESUS had to show them that “YOU CAN’T TOUCH THIS...UNLESS I WANT IT TO BE TOUCHED!” We don’t know how HE did it but the Scripture says simply, “HE passing through the midst of them went HIS way” (v.30). And in the very next verse that “Then HE went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath” (v.31).

 I thank GOD that JESUS let us know in John’s Gospel that “no one takes IT (MY LIFE) from ME, but I lay IT down of MYSELF. I have THE POWER to lay IT down, and I have POWER to take IT again. THIS COMMAND I HAVE RECEIVED FROM MY FATHER” (John 10:18). Therefore, this tells us that when we belong to GOD as HIS children, just like JESUS, Satan and all of his demons cannot touch us unless GOD wants us to be touched. That is the assurance we can carry away from this lesson. When we are in GOD’S HANDS no one can pluck us out.

Then we can say to Satan, “I’m a CHILD OF GOD...YOU CAN’T TOUCH THIS!

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours.

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD