Good Afternoon Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
During my reading this past Sunday morning, Luke 4:22 stood out to me. I’ve learned through the years, when a verse stands out to me, The Holy Spirit is in the process of teaching/revealing the hidden mysteries of God. Scriptures tell us this is one of the missions of The Holy Spirit.
Luke 4:22
And all bare Him [Jesus] witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
You can read the fourth chapter of Luke to see the context. Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2 describing His ministry’s mission according to The Word of God. What leapt out at me was the phase in Luke 4:22, “and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.” Jesus was teaching in the Synagogue of His hometown of Nazareth to an assembly that largely knew Him from His time growing up and living in Nazareth. Why would they have wondered at the gracious words Jesus spoke?
The nation and people of Israel had been under the law. What does the Scriptures tell us about the law? The Scriptures say the law condemns, the law cannot save you, the law is a schoolmaster to point us to Christ, if we offend in any one point of the law, we’ve broken all of the law, the wages of breaking the law is death, and no man with exception of Jesus Christ can fulfill the law by their works/deeds. Now, can you see why the following two verses spoken by Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 seemed so gracious compared to the words of the law?
Luke 4:18-19
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
When you read Luke 4:18-19 and contrast it with the message of the law, you can quickly see why the assembly in the Nazareth Synagogue were astonished and wondered at the “gracious words” Jesus spoke. The law is telling me I have failed and fallen short while Grace, Jesus Christ, is telling me I’m a winner in Him and I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengthens me. Which message would you rather hear? Unfortunately, there were a lot of the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadduccees that knew religion, but they were absolutely blind to The Word and Grace sitting in front of them. Grace, Himself, was teaching them. This still exists today. Works without faith in The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
John 3:17
For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him [Jesus] might be saved.
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
During my prayer time the same Sunday morning, The Holy Spirit asked me “What is The Word?” I wasn’t really sure what was being asked. I said, “God is The Word.” The Holy Spirit then said, “yes, God is The Word, but who is The Word written about and for?” I said, “Jesus.” The Holy Spirit then said, “no, The Word is written about and for you.” I was a little taken aback with The Holy Spirit’s reply. Then The Holy Spirit said, “The Word is about God’s love for you. God created everything for you. The Word is His love letter to you.” Honestly, I was floored for a few minutes. The Holy Spirit then said, “Jesus was sent for you, not for Himself. Jesus didn’t need to be rescued, cared for, and loved. You did.” These precious words just deepened my love for our Father and our elder Brother, Jesus. But these same words are for you, too. The Scriptures are God’s love letter to you and to me. I don’t dwell on my sin. I dwell on the love and goodness of my Father and my Kingly Brother. Where there is light, darkness can’t abide.
The world says, “he is too heavenly minded to be any earthly good.” The Kingdom of God says, “he is too earthly minded to be any heavenly good.” Which one is true? Yes, the second phrase. The world doesn’t get it. Without being heavenly or spiritual minded, you can’t be any earthly good. And if you are earthly or natural minded, you cannot operate in The Kingdom of God. Don’t be the Believer who has accepted very little of the Salvation Jesus purchased for you. He paid for it ALL – divine health, divine prosperity, divine protection, and divine deliverance – ON THIS EARTH.
Have a wonderful weekend and Sabbath.
In Christ,
Larry