Anchor My Faith

Prophecy About Jesus

Scripture: Luke 4:18-19

We ended the previous lesson indicating that we would cover the things Jesus was going to accomplish based on the prophecy he read about himself, contained in the following: “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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18 – 19 ESV).

The first goal is “to proclaim good news to the poor.” Jesus said to his disciples, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20 ESV). Jesus is not saying that being poor is in itself a blessing, but being poor is a blessing only when accompanied by trust in God. There is also a spiritual dimension here as well in that good news would come to the poor who long and wait for God.

The second goal is “to proclaim liberty to the captives.” Captives in the Old Testament were those in exile, but here we are held captive by our sin. Jesus came to die in our place to pay our penalty because of our sin. Through his death on the cross we have the option available to us through faith to be set free from bondage to sin.

The third goal is “recovering of sight to the blind.” The recovery of sight includes both physical and spiritual. Jesus healed many who were physically blind, primarily as an illustration that we are spiritually blind until healed by Jesus. Until we are born spiritually we are spiritually blind.

The fourth goal is “to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” During the time of Jesus this oppression included healing the sick, casting out demons, forgiving sins, and ethical teachings that promote social justice. There are many who live under the evil of persecution, who find peace in Jesus and are able to love and forgive their persecutors.

The fifth goal is “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” This referred to the Year of Jubilee in which debts were forgiven and family lands were restored. Because of the work Jesus finished on the cross, our debt due to sin is forgiven and we are restored to God. This is indeed the Lord’s favor.

As we walk the gospel path with Jesus over the next few years, we will learn more from Jesus about this and how he will bring it to pass.

Prayer

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to us and for his death on the cross to provide us with so many blessings, for setting us free from sin and death, to provide us with spiritual sight, for providing us peace in the face of such evil, and for our forgiveness and restoration. How interesting that this was laid out in an ancient prophecy.