What Jesus Did : Luke 4:16-21 - When It Was Fulfilled!
by Phil Ware
When It Was Fulfilled! - Luke 4:16-21
Jesus traveled to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue like he always did. Jesus stood up to read. The book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. Jesus opened the book and found the place where this is written: "The Spirit of the Lord (God) has come to me. God chose me to tell good news to people that are poor. God sent me to tell people who are prisoners that they are free, and to tell the blind people that they can see again. God sent me to free the weak people from their suffering and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness." Jesus closed the book. He gave the book back to the helper and sat down. Every person in the synagogue watched Jesus closely. Jesus began to speak to them. He said, "While you heard me reading these words just now, the words were coming true!" (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
I can't think of a more powerful moment for a synagogue worshiper! The scroll is unrolled. The Scripture is read. Then, with breathless wonder, the words are heard: "Today this Scripture is fulfilled!" Luke wants us to know that Jesus' ministry is Spirit anointed, Spirit led, Spirit empowered, and Spirit fulfilled. Jesus' actions are connected to God and to the Old Testament promises by the Holy Spirit. Deliverance will come at the hands of this Jesus who ministers to outcasts because of the work of the Spirit. His ministry is no accident; it was Spirit prophesied. So what's there to learn for us in this? Ministry must be Spirit led and be consistent with the promises of Scripture and the example of the Savior. Clearly in this case, that means it is about deliverance, grace, and reaching outcasts. How does our ministry compare?
Today's Prayer
Father, I know that you have placed your Holy Spirit within me and within your Church. Yet, Father, we so often block the Spirit's leadership and ignore the Spirit's opportunities. Not only forgive us, dear Father, but ignite in us a holy passion to be your servants to the lost, defeated, broken, and forgotten as your Spirit equips, empowers, and guides us into the areas of ministry you want us to do. Please fulfill this old Scripture again, today, in us. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus went back to Galilee with the power of the Holy Spirit. Stories about Jesus spread all over the area around Galilee. Jesus began to teach in the synagogues. All the people praised him. Jesus traveled to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue like he always did. Jesus stood up to read. The book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. Jesus opened the book and found the place where this is written: "The Spirit of the Lord (God) has come to me. God chose me to tell good news to people that are poor. God sent me to tell people who are prisoners that they are free, and to tell the blind people that they can see again. God sent me to free the weak people from their suffering and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness." Jesus closed the book. He gave the book back to the helper and sat down. Every person in the synagogue watched Jesus closely. Jesus began to speak to them. He said, "While you heard me reading these words just now, the words were coming true!" All the people said good things about Jesus. They were amazed at the beautiful words Jesus spoke. The people said, "{How can he speak like this?} He is only Joseph's son, isn't he?" Jesus said to them, "I know that you will tell me the old saying: 'Doctor, heal yourself.' You want to say, 'We heard about some things that you did in Capernaum. Do those same things here in your own home town!'" Then Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. A prophet is not accepted in his own home town. What I say is true. During the time of Elijah it did not rain in Israel for three and a half years. There was no food anywhere in the whole country. There were many widows in Israel during that time. But Elijah was sent to none of those widows {in Israel}. Elijah was sent only to a widow in Zarephath, a town in Sidon. And there were many people with leprosy living in Israel during the time of the prophet Elisha. But none of those people were healed; the only one wasNaaman. And Naaman was from the country of Syria, {not from Israel}." All the people in the synagogue heard these things. They became very, very angry. The people got up and forced Jesus to go out of town. Their town was built on a hill. They brought Jesus to the edge of the hill. The people wanted to throw him off. But Jesus walked through the middle of them and went away.-- Luke Luke 4:14-30 (ERV)
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