Isaiah 60-62; John 1

"The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor..." Isaiah 61:1-2

Jesus speaks these words about himself in Luke 4 after over four hundred years of biblical silence.  The teachers and rabbis felt like God had abandoned them and didn't quite understand the prophecy from Isaiah.  Jesus comes along and filled with the Spirit and announces He is the messiah that they had been waiting for.  In this statement we see the heart of God.  He's attentive to the poor, those who are held as slaves.  It's hard to beleive that we still in this day have many who are sold into slavery whether it be human traffiking, sex trade industry, or child soldiers, God has come to set them free.  He has come to set people free from all darkness whether it be an abusive relationship or addicttion to any substance.  By God's grace I have seen broken lives put back together and families restored.  After Jesus read this verse he put down the scroll and said "today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."  He said all the scripture and prophecy is about me.  I am the fulfillment and I am the Christ, I am your treasure, I am your Lord, I am your Savior,  I am the one who has come to give you life.  I have come to set you free from all sin and pain.  It's all about me, It's all about Jesus.  Today in your hearing this verse is true for you.  He came for you.  Be liberated from all bondage brokenness, be set free and proclaim the Lord's favor....

Pastor Joe