Luke 4 :14 -

The ministry of Jesus began after He returned to Galilee following the 40 days in the wilderness.  Luke tells us that Jesus "began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all."  Jesus chooses Nazareth, His home town to read the Isaiah passage that He fulfilled..

" The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 

because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.  

He sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,

 and recovery of sight to the blind, 

to set free those who are downtrodden, 

to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord."

( v 18-19) 

This is a quote from Isaiah 61:1-2a.  Jesus stops in mid-verse, omitting the end of verse 2, "and the day of vengeance of our God.".  He came the first time to fulfill the prophecies above.. but He will come the second time to fulfill the rest.  John the Baptist spoke of this.. " And His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 

Luke tells us that the people in that synagogue in Nazareth were stunned, "and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him."  But, even then, doubt and rebellion began to slip in.  They questioned His authority because they thought Him to be Joseph's son.  When He questioned their ability to believe in Him, they tried to throw Him off a cliff!  This conflict escalated so quickly. 

It is at this point that Jesus of Nazareth moves to Capernaum. 

Jesus keeps teaching in the synagogues.  He rebukes and casts out demons.  He heals the sick.  He preaches "the kingdom of God".   This word - kingdom- brings to our minds the idea of a country.. a place.  But, the Greek word here is basileia -rule or realm.  It carries the idea of sovereignty; the foundation of power.  We could say that Jesus preached the supreme reign and rule of God.   

The Almighty God, Sovereign King of heaven and earth poured out His Spirit on Jesus, the Son.  He anointed Jesus to preach good news to the poor, the captive, the blind, and the downtrodden.  Our God sent Jesus to proclaim His favor- His grace, His mercy.. His salvation to mankind.  Jesus said, "..for I was sent for this purpose." 

The time of the Lord's favor is still upon us.  People can still choose to believe in Jesus Christ and receive the good news of God's love and grace.  But, there is a time coming when the rest of Isaiah's prophecy will be fulfilled. There is a time of judgement coming and the unbelievers will be lost forever.. cast into the fire.  

O Father, we see the darkness rising and it breaks our hearts to know that some of the people we love so much are lost and are facing Your holy wrath.. Jesus alone is our hope of salvation and they refuse to believe.  How can we change them?  We cannot.  But, nothing is impossible with You.  The hearts of men and women are in Your hands. Please Lord, hear our prayers, and bring repentance and salvation to these ones we lift before You today.  You know the ones on my heart and I speak their names to You, even now.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.