““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He 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 oppressed,” (Luke 4:18, LSB)
Jesus spoke the words above in the synagogue at Nazareth. He spoke these words to people who knew His family, to people of His hometown. Jesus knew these words were originally spoken by the prophet Isaiah. Jesus also knew these words formed a vision for His mission. Jesus was filled with Spirit. The Father “anointed” Jesus to (1)“preach the gospel to the poor”, (2)“release captives”, give (3)“sight to the blind”, and (4)“free those who are oppressed”. These four aspects to His mission formed the main thrust of Jesus’ work for the Heavenly Father.
From the gospel stories, you can probably name many times that Jesus (1) “preached the gospel to the poor”. Jesus’ teaching while feeding of the five thousand certainly fulfilled this aspect of His ministry. You may also remember several instances when Jesus (3) “gave sight to the blind”, like when Jesus healed the man who was blind from birth (John 9). In truth, the gospels mention Jesus’ healing many who were blind (Luke 7:21, John 5:3). While Jesus was known for parts 1 and 3 of His mission, it is less clear when Jesus (2)“released captives” or (4)“freed the oppressed”. Let’s look at two groups a little closer.
When Jesus claimed His mission was to (4)“free the oppressed”, the Greek words used mean to “ease the downtrodden”. Certainly, we can see this occur as Jesus healed the sick, forgave sinners, and spoke up for the suffering. To Jesus, this was a mission of love and mercy and grace. But when did Jesus ever (2)“release captives”? We don’t know of any instances in the Bible when Jesus freed people from prison or let a slave go free. So, what does the scripture mean that Jesus was to (2)“release captives”?
Let me tell you a story. John Newton was an Englishman who was raised by the sea. His father spent many years on board ships as a deckhand and later officer. Following in his father’s footsteps, John Newton also went to sea in ships. Aboard one ship, the HMS Harwich, Newton was exposed to the slave trade. The ship carried slaves from Africa to the new world.
In his time at sea, John Newton knew the hardships aboard ship. He understood servitude when he was forced into the naval service. He grew callous at the suffering of the slaves. It hardened Newton’s heart. He became resentful, bitter, and evil. History books describe Newton’s choices as “poor”. They describe his life of debauchery. He was a menace and terror to many, caring little for the plight of the slaves chained in the holds of ships. Then something happened to Newton. While traveling to England aboard the HMS Greyhound, a great storm arose. The storm battered the ship, which was crippled but made it back to port. Newton barely survived. Still, that storm changed Newton. He began to regret his poor choices and wretched life. He took notice at the hardships of the slave trade. When the ship made it to Ireland, Newton immediately disembarked and went to the nearest church. There, he dedicated his life to Christ. He began to speak out against sinful lifestyles and the slave trade.
Not long after his conversion, Newton penned the hymn, “Amazing Grace”. In that hymn, Newton recalled how he was “once lost, but now is found, was blind but now I see”. The words of that hymn talk about Newton’s coming to realize how sin had captured his mind and enchained his soul. Like the slaves in the holds of slave ships, Newton was held captive by his sin, only to be freed by a life dedicated to Christ. Forgiven by the Lord Jesus, Newton devoted himself to ministry for more than forty years. He felt freed from his sin. He felt God’s grace changed everything.
When Jesus said His mission would include (2) “freeing captives”, it is important you realize what He meant. Jesus knew that humankind is imprisoned by sin, chained by evil, shackled by poor choices and past mistakes. In an endeavor to save people from this “imprisonment” via sin, Jesus brought grace and forgiveness and thankfulness and love to combat this error. In the same way that the gospel freed Newton from a life of sinful bitterness and regret, Jesus freed people like you and me from being held captive by evil and sin.
If you look closely at the scripture for today, the four aspects of Jesus ministry mentioned in Luke 4:18 have deeply affected your life. The Spirit of the Lord is upon you, speaking to you. The gospel has inspired you to reach out to the poor and needy. You have been freed from captivity to sin and regret. You have been introduced to grace, forgiveness, and love through Jesus Christ. You are no longer blind to your sin, to the manipulations of evil ones, and to the lostness of the world. Your mission is also to help those caught in a cycle of oppression and suffering. Today’s scripture, Luke 4:18, has affected every aspect of your life!
Because Jesus came to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, to reach out in four distinct ways, your life has been forever changed. Like John Newton, you have rejected sinfulness and embraced Jesus. You have advocated for the poor and needy. You will no longer be held captive by sin. In fulfilling His mission, Jesus has brought you into His Kingdom and named you as one of His own. If that doesn’t make you want to sing praises, what will?!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for sending Jesus to save me! I did not deserve such grace.
In times past, I did not fully realize how much You had done for me! I got caught up in worldly ways. Selfishness determined my values and priorities. Wealth enticed me. Passions tempted me. I succumbed to sin. I am sorry for the times I was not faithful. I regret sins that wrecked body and soul. I ask for grace. I desire to be closer to You. I want desperately to be like Jesus!
I pray for our world. Like me, so many have been deluded. They bought into lies. They have justified their own mistakes. They believed in manipulators more than they believed in You. They make poor choices. They are blind to their errors. They bear ill-will toward others. They side with evil. They refuse to repent. And yet, You continue to reach out, to show love, to seek their salvation, and to save their souls.
Let Your justice rain down upon the earth. Let the shame of sinners be brought to light. Let Your truth guide the faithful. Let Your will be done.
I dedicate myself to obedience again today. I want others to find the joy I have found in Jesus as my Lord! Amen.
From the gospel stories, you can probably name many times that Jesus (1) “preached the gospel to the poor”. Jesus’ teaching while feeding of the five thousand certainly fulfilled this aspect of His ministry. You may also remember several instances when Jesus (3) “gave sight to the blind”, like when Jesus healed the man who was blind from birth (John 9). In truth, the gospels mention Jesus’ healing many who were blind (Luke 7:21, John 5:3). While Jesus was known for parts 1 and 3 of His mission, it is less clear when Jesus (2)“released captives” or (4)“freed the oppressed”. Let’s look at two groups a little closer.
When Jesus claimed His mission was to (4)“free the oppressed”, the Greek words used mean to “ease the downtrodden”. Certainly, we can see this occur as Jesus healed the sick, forgave sinners, and spoke up for the suffering. To Jesus, this was a mission of love and mercy and grace. But when did Jesus ever (2)“release captives”? We don’t know of any instances in the Bible when Jesus freed people from prison or let a slave go free. So, what does the scripture mean that Jesus was to (2)“release captives”?
Let me tell you a story. John Newton was an Englishman who was raised by the sea. His father spent many years on board ships as a deckhand and later officer. Following in his father’s footsteps, John Newton also went to sea in ships. Aboard one ship, the HMS Harwich, Newton was exposed to the slave trade. The ship carried slaves from Africa to the new world.
In his time at sea, John Newton knew the hardships aboard ship. He understood servitude when he was forced into the naval service. He grew callous at the suffering of the slaves. It hardened Newton’s heart. He became resentful, bitter, and evil. History books describe Newton’s choices as “poor”. They describe his life of debauchery. He was a menace and terror to many, caring little for the plight of the slaves chained in the holds of ships. Then something happened to Newton. While traveling to England aboard the HMS Greyhound, a great storm arose. The storm battered the ship, which was crippled but made it back to port. Newton barely survived. Still, that storm changed Newton. He began to regret his poor choices and wretched life. He took notice at the hardships of the slave trade. When the ship made it to Ireland, Newton immediately disembarked and went to the nearest church. There, he dedicated his life to Christ. He began to speak out against sinful lifestyles and the slave trade.
Not long after his conversion, Newton penned the hymn, “Amazing Grace”. In that hymn, Newton recalled how he was “once lost, but now is found, was blind but now I see”. The words of that hymn talk about Newton’s coming to realize how sin had captured his mind and enchained his soul. Like the slaves in the holds of slave ships, Newton was held captive by his sin, only to be freed by a life dedicated to Christ. Forgiven by the Lord Jesus, Newton devoted himself to ministry for more than forty years. He felt freed from his sin. He felt God’s grace changed everything.
When Jesus said His mission would include (2) “freeing captives”, it is important you realize what He meant. Jesus knew that humankind is imprisoned by sin, chained by evil, shackled by poor choices and past mistakes. In an endeavor to save people from this “imprisonment” via sin, Jesus brought grace and forgiveness and thankfulness and love to combat this error. In the same way that the gospel freed Newton from a life of sinful bitterness and regret, Jesus freed people like you and me from being held captive by evil and sin.
If you look closely at the scripture for today, the four aspects of Jesus ministry mentioned in Luke 4:18 have deeply affected your life. The Spirit of the Lord is upon you, speaking to you. The gospel has inspired you to reach out to the poor and needy. You have been freed from captivity to sin and regret. You have been introduced to grace, forgiveness, and love through Jesus Christ. You are no longer blind to your sin, to the manipulations of evil ones, and to the lostness of the world. Your mission is also to help those caught in a cycle of oppression and suffering. Today’s scripture, Luke 4:18, has affected every aspect of your life!
Because Jesus came to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, to reach out in four distinct ways, your life has been forever changed. Like John Newton, you have rejected sinfulness and embraced Jesus. You have advocated for the poor and needy. You will no longer be held captive by sin. In fulfilling His mission, Jesus has brought you into His Kingdom and named you as one of His own. If that doesn’t make you want to sing praises, what will?!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for sending Jesus to save me! I did not deserve such grace.
In times past, I did not fully realize how much You had done for me! I got caught up in worldly ways. Selfishness determined my values and priorities. Wealth enticed me. Passions tempted me. I succumbed to sin. I am sorry for the times I was not faithful. I regret sins that wrecked body and soul. I ask for grace. I desire to be closer to You. I want desperately to be like Jesus!
I pray for our world. Like me, so many have been deluded. They bought into lies. They have justified their own mistakes. They believed in manipulators more than they believed in You. They make poor choices. They are blind to their errors. They bear ill-will toward others. They side with evil. They refuse to repent. And yet, You continue to reach out, to show love, to seek their salvation, and to save their souls.
Let Your justice rain down upon the earth. Let the shame of sinners be brought to light. Let Your truth guide the faithful. Let Your will be done.
I dedicate myself to obedience again today. I want others to find the joy I have found in Jesus as my Lord! Amen.