In Luke 4 we find this sermon that was preached by Jesus at the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. Jesus had been ministering throughout Judea, in the area of Jerusalem, for about 8 months. Luke says that, "news about him spread through the whole countryside." (v. 14)

One Sabbath he attended the synagogue in Nazareth. Since he was a Rabbi -- a teacher -- custom dictated that he be invited to preach. Specific passages were scheduled to be read on specific days. It just so happened that on the day that Jesus visited the synagogue in Nazareth, the reading was from Isaiah 61. This passage refers to a prophet (the Messiah) who is coming to Israel to do great things. This is what Jesus read...

(v. 18-19) The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.

After Jesus read these words, he rolled up the scroll and sat down to speak, since it was the custom then that teachers taught sitting down. Luke says, "The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him..." (v. 21) This is how Jesus began his sermon. He said...

(v. 21) "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

In other words, he was saying, "I'm the prophet that Isaiah was talking about. God promised to send someone to preach to the poor, proclaim liberty, give sight to the blind, and set free the downtrodden -- and it's me. The words that Isaiah wrote hundreds of years ago are specifically about me, my ministry, and what I have come to do."

This is an important passage of scripture because it tells us what Jesus came to do. It tells us what he was about -- what were his priorities, and what were his goals. In it we find good news that we all need to hear.

As a review the Celebration Worship Experience showed us 

Hope When You Are Living Poorly(v.18)

Jesus begins by saying that the Lord has anointed me to "preach the gospel to the poor."

He was talking about material poverty, to be sure, but that's not all he was talking about. He was referring to spiritual poverty as well, just as he did in Matthew 5:3 when he said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God."

He fills the void in your existence.

Jesus came to proclaim good news to the poor, but not just the materially poor.

He was referring to those whose lives are empty and destitute in any number of ways. And all of us fit in there somewhere.

Think about your life. Where do you lack? Where are you poor? Is it your finances? Is it your relationships — the ones that are supposed to bring happiness into your life — are they empty and destitute? Are you living in emotional poverty — with no sense of joy, fulfillment, direction, or purpose?

I want you to know that wherever you lack, Jesus came to meet that deepest need.

Freedom When You Are A Blinded Prisoner

(v.18)

Jesus said that God "has sent me to proclaim release to the captives." The NIV says, "to proclaim freedom to the prisoners."

Just like everyone struggles with poverty in some area of his or her lives, it is also true that everyone is, or has been, captive to something.

Some are imprisoned by their anger. For others, it's guilt. Or fear. Or resentment. Or depression. Or jealousy. Or ambition. Or revenge. These things grab hold of you and shackle your hands and feet.

As much as you try to manage your rage or your lust or your bitterness, you just can't. You are its prisoner. You don't control it, it controls you.

Jesus said, "I have come to proclaim liberty to the captives."

Whatever it is that's got a hold of you, he is able to set you free. Jesus wants to meet your deepest needs, he wants to set you free, and ...

With that freedom comes a new outlook.

Jesus said that he has come to proclaim "recovery of sight to the blind."

We waste so much time longing, begging for people to see things from our perspective…what an unspiritual approach that is!
You need to see each situation from God's perspective.

Jesus came to proclaim recovery of sight to the blind. That means that you don't have to live your life as if you're feeling your way through the darkness.

You can live with spiritual insight, spiritual vision, and a spiritual perspective.

Living Free and Seeing Cleary

Refreshment and Rest When You Are Just Plain Pooped
(v.18)

Have you ever been bruised?

Has life ever gotten the best of you?

Does it ever seem to just beat you mercilessly?

Jesus cares about the emotional bruises you bear. No matter how fragile you are, no matter how vulnerable you may feel, Jesus is ready to protect you. 

Now, we don't live by feelings, we live by faith.

Feelings can be tricky sometimes. You can't rely on them.

But you don't have to go through life feeling bad all the time. You don't have to go through life feeling blue. You don't have to go through life bruised and beaten. You can feel good. You were created for better…

He wants you to know His love.

Jesus said he came "to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord." Or, as the New Living Translation says it, "that the time of the Lord's favor has come."