How the Risen Jesus Transforms Lives

Luke 4:18-21

The resurrection of Jesus from death proves him to be the “Son of God with power” (Romans 1). The seeming hopelessness of the cross is replaced with joy and certainty and purpose.

The resurrection means the earthly ministry of Jesus continues today through his church

Luke 4 is a direct quote of Isaiah 61. It’s the Servant Song that Jesus chose to sing!

Luke 4: 16-21 "He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. 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 favor.” [f] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

1.Jesus is God’s choice.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me” - Jesus is chosen for purpose- to do the work God called him to (die for our sins). Salvation is found nowhere else.

2. Jesus is bringer of joy.

“To Proclaim Good News to the Poor”

Joy. Good news.

3.Jesus is bringer of true freedom.

“He sent me to bring freedom for the prisoners”

Prison is the place that human beings create for other human beings. It’s the place where rights are restricted. Doesn’t have to be physical bars. Anxiety, shame, guilt, pressure. Bodily confinement, Mental confinement.

4.Jesus brings sight to the blind.

He healed blind eyes. He still can heal. That’s who he is.

5. Jesus brings God’s Grace into our lives.

Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. (GRACE) Ancient Israel were commanded every 50th year to forgive debts, release slaves and restore land back to its original owners. Jubilee year-the favour year. Trumpet!

Recalibration- the way things should be. You were made for relationship with God. We get tied up with other things along the way. It’s time to recalibrate.

Future Judgement

Luke 4- Jesus quotation of Isaiah ends with favour and stops before judgement! Jesus will one day judge the living and the dead. But now is not the time- it’s a time of amazing favour, when people can respond to his message and his grace.

The song of Jesus people

Isaiah 61 goes on to tell of the transformation Jesus brings to those who receive him (v3-11) Comfort in sorrow, Beauty for ashes, joy, stable oaks, displaying God’s splendour, rebuilding ruins, priests of God, unashamed, righteous as a gift…


Questions:

  • Transformed by Jesus. Read Luke 4:18-19 again. Describe your own experience of meeting Jesus- do these phrases resonate in your own experience?
  • God’s choice. If there is no other way for people to be saved other than trusting in God’s choice of Messiah, how can we communicate that sensitively to our friends and neighbours in a world where personal choice is regarded so highly?
  • All of the gospel. In our own sharing of our faith, do we give correct emphasis to the fullness of the good news of Jesus? Where are we weak?
  • True freedom. Our culture prides itself in its “freedoms”. Behaviour, lifestyle, food etc. How can these freedoms become prisons? How does Jesus help?
  • Day of Favour not judgement. Judgement is delayed. How does this effect our presentation of the gospel?