LUKE 4:17-19

and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him [Jesus]. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

TO PONDER

I think I'm sometimes guilty of thinking of Jesus as a "one trick pony". I mean really Jesus is all about his death and resurrection isn't he???

Maybe there is an element of that kind of thinking that has some truth to it. After all, the freedom that he's talking about in this reading, and the blindness, and the good news, are all somewhat brought about by his death and resurrection so there is that.

But is the freedom here only talking about spiritual freedom from sin? I know multiple people who would say that Jesus has freed them from slavery to various addictions. Is recovery of sight for the blind just talking about spiritual blindness? Didn't Jesus literally heal of heir physical blindness also? I don't know any formerly blind people who have been healed like that, but I certainly know various people who say Jesus has miraculously healed other physical illnesses and ailments.

In today's reading, Jesus says that, "the Holy Spirit is upon him because he has anointed me to..." the Holy Spirit was upon Jesus to help him do all the works that the Father had sent him to do. Whether we talk about Jesus or the Holy Spirit, it's pretty clear that what the Holy Spirit is not a one trick pony. He does not just call us to faith in Christ for our own salvation, but He also remains with us to equip and empower us to do all the works that God has planned in advance for us to do. Maybe that is to heal the sick and deliver the captives in very literal, practical and miraculous ways. Maybe it is also more simply to enable you to love as Jesus did, forgive those who persecute you, and proclaim the goodness of of God to others.

Whatever it is, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you because he has anointed you to...?

PRAYER: Lord God, I know you have made me for yourself and that you have plans for me and things that you have in mind specifically for me to do, to build your kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Please help me to notice and follow the leading of your Spirit so that I may go where you call me to go, love whom you call me to love, and serve who you call me to serve, in Jesus name, Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle