Homecoming
Luke 4:14-21
1. The empowerment of Jesus’ Worship
14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. Luke 4:14-15 (ESV)
The secret of our Savior’s success directly relates to the power of the Spirit.
2. The consistency of Jesus’ Worship
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. Luke 4:16 (ESV)
“As was His custom” informs us that Jesus obediently and consistently worshiped on the Sabbath.
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 (ESV)
3. The message of Jesus’ Worship
17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:17-19 (ESV)
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV)
6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 (ESV)
Kent Hughes: Jesus was obviously saying two things. First, the consolation of Israel promised long before by Isaiah found its ultimate expression in Jesus and his message. And second, while "the day of vengeance of our God" would come (Isaiah 61:2b), it was not being fulfilled on that day. What was being fulfilled that day was "the year [i.e., the season] of the Lord's favor." Matthew 5:3
Jesus used the idea of blindness to sight to help explain His plans for the Apostle Paul. Acts 26:17-18
10 And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan. Leviticus 25:10 (ESV)
4. The application of Jesus’ Worship
20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:20-21 (ESV)
The people of Nazareth did not see any prisoners gain their freedom or any blind people recover their sight, but they did hear Jesus preach the gospel, and when they heard it, Isaiah’s prophecy came true. 2 Corinthians 8:9