Mandate – Luke 4
14 Apr 2010 | Karl Martin | Posted in Word Words1 Comment
Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit makes a pretty clear statement of intent at the outset of his earthly ministry … this is me, this is who I am, this is what I’m about.
After baptism by John in the Jordan with the subsequent confirmation from his Father – “this is my son with whom I am well pleased - and immediately following his temptation by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus returns in the power of the Holy Spirit to begin his ministry. He goes home to Nazareth declaring:
“‘The spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
WOW! …. This is what I am about! The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in me!
His friends and family, his home town mates, all spoke well of him and were amazed at his words of grace. They were blown away! Could it be that the fulfilment of all they had been waiting for – the Kingdom of God, the reign and rule and freedom of their God – was coming and was being ushered in by one of their own? They were excited …. and amazed!
But Jesus dosen’t stop speaking there. He says “this is not just for you” and reminds them of their history. During Elijah and Elisha’s time, God showed that he was interested in blessing the outsiders, and not always the insiders….
At best, guys, this is not just for you! And at worst, it’s just for you to give away!
This was enough to have them so mad that they wanted rid of his message, and they wanted rid of him.
As I preached on this passage recently, we asserted that not only do we have Jesus’ power and Jesus’ commission – we are the body of Christ, called to be Jesus, and we are to expect the same results ( miracles, signs and wonders, salvations and transformations) – but also the same opposition.
When word and spirit combine, supernatural transformation happens; and as transformation happens, opposition follows.
It comes most devastatingly from the people of God who have forgotten what it means to be the people of God and what they are the people of God for.
The people of Nazareth, those in the synagogue, were the good guys – not the bad guys – and yet they end up opposing the work of God.
The people of Israel, chosen to be a ‘light to the nations’, had kept whatever light they had to themselves. They therefore found the message ‘It’s not just for you’ not only disturbing, but also condeming. They found themselves in opposition to the Kingdom and, more specifically, to the Kingdom’s King.
This week, think about your missional expression.
- How can we best be good news to the poor that we are called to reach?
- How are we best placed to release prisoners?
- How do we open blind eyes?
- What does the mandate look like practically for your ME?
Have you ever found yourself in opposition to the Kingdom of God, and the mandate of the Kingdom’s King? How?
Read through the rest of Luke 4.
What are the evidences of the Kingdom commission and the Holy Spirit’s power?
- Karl
Suzanne Lofthus said:-
April 14th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Dear Karl
thanks for that. very challenging and timely – I’d better not preach or try to release prisoners though as am just about to go to an American State Penitentiary to work with lifers to produce a Passion play – dont think I’ll mention releasing of prisoners there! Watch out for news coverage if i do!