Luke 4 :: Clarity of Calling

Luke 4

Have you ever wondered where to start when you begin reading the bible?  At the Springs, we have opted to help you in this little journey, but many people I have talked with say the same thing, "I just don't know where to start."

Today, we see Jesus' first public teaching opportunity.  He picks up the scriptures and starts to read.  He had opportunity to read anything he wanted.  He could have gone anywhere in the Torah, anywhere among the history, poetry or prophecy.  I think it says a lot about what Jesus thinks is important about himself, and worth our stopping to note what he chose.

Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1-2, with an additional phrase from Isaiah 58, "set the oppressed free."  This says much about what Jesus thought about his calling.  He has come to:

1.  Proclaim good news to the poor

2.  Proclaim freedom for the prisoners

3.  Proclaim recovery of sight for the blind

4. Set the prisoners free

5.  Proclaim the year of the Lord's favor

What is good news to the poor?  What is freedom for the prisoners and sight for the blind?  What is the year of the Lord's favor?

I like that Jesus adds the phrase from Isaiah because it shows that he is not just here to announce/proclaim, but to do something.  If we are going to actually follow Jesus and not just learn about him, these words must be important to us.  We must hear our call in his call.  We are not to just sit by and idly watch.  Jesus is clear about his mission.  How clear are we about ours?

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