Friday, February 1, 2013
Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
FOR YOU ... JESUS' MINISTRY TO FREE THE OPPRESSED
When Jesus began reading Isaiah, He was reading his own God-given mission statement. Jesus was reading his own Father-given ministry outline. He was reading what the Father had promised them He would come and do:
Jesus came to set free those oppressed -- not by wicked men or by unjust governments -- but those oppressed by sin. The word translated "oppressed" refers to people who are broken and weakened. They are crushed under the weight of their guilt. Their hearts are broken, contrite, having been crushed by knowledge of their sin (cf. Psalm 51:17).
Jesus' ministry is to say to those burdened with sin and guilt (Matthew 11:28): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
He comes to proclaim a time of freedom for us all, days of joy and hope. He comes to: Proclaim the year of the Lord's favor ...
It is Jesus' task to bring spiritual blessings to sinners. He came to help, heal, comfort and save sinners. When Jesus comes to sinners, they find joy, hope, comfort and the promise of freedom from sin's domination. He offers, He gives that freedom through His Word. He confirms that freedom in the Sacrament of the Altar.
Jesus still seeks to help, heal, comfort and save sinners today. He has brought you to faith and made you His ambassadors for this very purpose: that the proclamation of the Good News may go out through you.
