Called to Proclaim

January 3, 2021 Background Scripture: Luke 4 Lesson Passage: Luke 4:14 – 22a The four writers of the gospel accounts attest to Jesus’ water baptism by John the Baptist. The synoptic writers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, recorded Jesus’ anointing by the Holy Spirit after his water baptism. At that point, Jesus submitted himself fully to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to fast and be tested by Satan. Jesus’ public ministry began after those events. He taught in the synagogues throughout the region of Galilee. He was graciously received as they recognized his gift of teaching. Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth was in Galilee. Our lesson’s text focuses on his visit to the synagogue in Nazareth—where he was brought every week as a child. The text bears this out in that it states that it was his custom to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. On this occasion, he stood up to read, and someone in the synagogue brought him the scroll of Isaiah. He found the place on the scroll that mentioned the anointing of the Messiah and his ministry; he read it aloud. Then he closed the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. He looked around at those who were assembled. He told them that the prophecy he read to them was fulfilled in their hearing on that day. Oftentimes, the greatest scrutiny we will endure will come from those who have known us all our lives. It was no different for Jesus. It was early in his ministry, but the Holy Spirit did not keep Jesus from being in some difficult situations. In fact, the Spirit led Jesus into those situations. Nevertheless, Jesus made it clear to the hometown folks that he was called of God to proclaim the good news. Unlike other teachers, or preachers, who were called of God into ministry, Jesus’ calling was unique. His calling was the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy of Isaiah. Isaiah’s prophecy summarizes the full extent of Jesus’ preaching/teaching ministry. Even more important than that, Jesus’ calling showed that the acceptable year of the Lord was a span of time where the world would be spared the vengeance of God. The prophecy of Isaiah does not make the span of time clear. Rather, the prophecy warned of the day of vengeance as though it would come on the very heels of the announcement of the arrival of the Messiah. The acceptable year of the Lord is the time God has provided to give people the opportunity to know Him and accept His offer of salvation. In essence, the preaching ministry of the Messiah was an invitation for sinners to be saved from the wrath of God. The Messiah proclaimed a message that was being continuously fulfilled in his life, death, and resurrection. This is the acceptable year, and the sacrificial death of the Messiah is the only offering for sin that God will accept. Jesus was called to proclaim the good news. The good news is that Jesus is the sin offering that God has provided for the world. Jesus’ proclamation was his own death notice and what his death meant for the world. Many would hear him and reject the message he proclaimed. Rejection would not change his assignment to proclaim God’s saving grace to a world headed for eternal damnation. Jesus’ message was simple and clear. Today is the day of God’s offer of salvation. God’s vengeance is being forestalled, but divine justice will be executed. Jesus understood that he was called to proclaim these facts. Jesus proclaimed that sinful mankind could be spared the wrath of God by accepting Jesus’ death as the penalty for their sins. Do you understand Jesus’ proclamation? Robert C. Hudson November 28, 2020