The Divine Mission of Jesus and Our Call to Obedience (Luke 4:18)

 

Scripture Reading: Luke 4:18 (ESV)

"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."

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we stand on the unshakable foundation of God’s holy and authoritative word. In Luke 4:18, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ declares his divine mission—a mission rooted in the eternal truth of scripture and fulfilled before our very eyes. When Jesus read these words from the prophet Isaiah and said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21), he affirmed the absolute reliability of God’s promises and his identity as the promised Messiah. This is not just a story from the past; it is a living command that calls every believer to action today.

As we open this sacred text, let us hear the voice of God speaking directly to us, revealing the mission of Christ and our responsibility to obey his word.

The Spirit’s Empowerment

Jesus begins with a powerful declaration: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me." This is no ordinary statement—it is a testimony to the divine anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit set Jesus apart as the Christ, the Anointed One, to fulfill God’s redemptive plan. The Bible tells us in Acts 10:38 that God "anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." This same Spirit is at work in us, the redeemed, as we read in Ephesians 1:13: "You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation... you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit."


For us, this means we are not powerless. The Holy Spirit equips us to live out our faith and proclaim the truth of God’s word with boldness. Any work we do for the kingdom must be rooted in this divine power, not our own strength.

Good News to the Poor

Jesus was anointed "to proclaim good news to the poor." The poor here are not just those lacking material wealth, but those who are spiritually destitute—humble souls who know their need for a Savior. Jesus said in Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The good news is the gospel of salvation, the message that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. As 1 Timothy 1:15 declares, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."

Our calling as believers is clear: we must share this gospel with those who are lost, those who are spiritually poor and searching for hope. Romans 10:15 reminds us, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" We are ambassadors of Christ, tasked with proclaiming his saving grace to a dying world.

Liberty to the Captives

Next, Jesus proclaims "liberty to the captives." The Bible is unmistakable: the greatest captivity is the bondage of sin. Romans 6:6 tells us that "our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin." Jesus came to break those chains, declaring in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

As his disciples, we are called to point others to this freedom. Whether someone is trapped in addiction, despair, or rebellion against God, the gospel offers true liberty through repentance and faith in Christ. Our mission is to proclaim this message of deliverance, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives.

Sight to the Blind

Jesus also came "to proclaim... recovering of sight to the blind." While he healed physical blindness, the deeper truth is spiritual. The world is blinded by sin and the lies of the enemy. As 2 Corinthians 4:4 warns, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel." But Jesus opens eyes to the truth. He is the light of the world (John 8:12), and through him, the spiritually blind can see.

We must be faithful stewards of this truth, sharing God’s word to pierce the darkness. Whether through preaching, teaching, or living a life that reflects Christ, we are called to help others see the glory of the gospel and turn from their blindness to the Savior.

Liberty to the Oppressed

Finally, Jesus was sent "to set at liberty those who are oppressed." The oppressed are those crushed by the weight of sin and the attacks of Satan, the enemy of our souls. But Jesus has overcome the enemy! Colossians 2:15 declares that he "disarmed the powers and authorities, [making] a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Through his victory, we find freedom, as Galatians 5:1 proclaims: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

Our task is to offer this hope to those who are broken. By sharing the message of Christ’s triumph, we help others find deliverance from the oppression of sin and the peace that comes through a relationship with Jesus.

Application for Today

Brothers and sisters, Luke 4:18 is not just Jesus’ mission—it is ours as well. The verbs in this verse—proclaim, set free—are active commands that demand our obedience. We are not called to sit idly by but to live out our faith with urgency and purpose. This means:

  • Sharing the gospel with those who are spiritually poor and in need of salvation.
  • Helping others find freedom from the bondage of sin through the power of Christ.
  • Bringing the light of God’s truth to those who are spiritually blind.
  • Offering hope and restoration to those oppressed by the enemy.

This mission isn’t about grand displays or worldly solutions—it’s about standing firm in the authority of God’s word and showing the love of Christ in all we do. We must support ministries that lead people to repentance, extend the forgiveness we’ve received from Jesus, and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us. As 2 Timothy 2:21 promises, those who cleanse themselves from sin will be "useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

Luke 4:18 is the heartbeat of Jesus’ ministry, and it must be ours too. The same Spirit that anointed him empowers us to proclaim the good news, set captives free, and bring light to those in darkness. Let us go forth in obedience to God’s word, fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20—to make disciples of all nations. We do this not in our own strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, who equips us for every good work. May we live out this mission faithfully, for the glory of God and the advancement of his kingdom. Amen.



DMMC 8-2-25

Location: Peru, IN 46970, USA

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