This is a copy of a short talk I gave at the 10.30 am Service of ‘Healing & Wholeness’ on Sunday 3 September 2023 at Emmanuel Church, Billericay. The Bible Reading was Luke 4:14-21.
First WORDS
These words are the first words Jesus spoke at the beginning of his ministry after his 40 days in the wilderness. Jesus read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (we know it as Isaiah 61, written some 750 years before) and, after reading those words, Jesus said that Isaiah, was writing about him. Can you imagine both the horror and indignation around Jesus’ declaration as he claimed to be the Messiah? Is it any wonder that, later in the chapter, they drove him out of town and tried to throw him over the cliff!
Anointed by the SPIRIT
But these words were Jesus’ statement of purpose as to what he was seeking to achieve during his ministry and the reason the anointing of the Holy Spirit was upon him. To be anointed means to be set apart for a task. Jesus was set apart to preach about the Good News of the kingdom of God. Isaiah’s prophecy was that someone would: … preach good news to the poor, set the prisoners free, make the blind to see and release the oppressed. And all that Jesus did, his healings and miracles, demonstrated that he was God’s chosen Saviour.
Good News to the POOR
Good News is something that is in such short supply in today’s world. There’s always something on TV, in our newspapers and magazines, which constantly remind us how immoral/violent the world is. Jesus was proclaiming that the day of the Lord’s favour had come. He came to proclaim that the poor would hear good news …
Freedom for the PRISONERS
The Romans imprisoned many people in Jesus’ day, and it would be silly to think that Jesus was going to empty all the jails. Some prisoners deserved to be there – so another meaning was intended. Jesus came to free people from the evil forces that bound them up. In today’s world, that may be from drugs, alcohol, bitterness. Jesus came to free us from the one who delights in dragging us down, the devil himself. Jesus was proclaiming that the day of the Lord’s favour had come. He came to proclaim that the prisoners would be set free … I’ve met more people in prison out of prison than those imprisoned in prison!
Sight to the BLIND
Blindness was a common ailment of Jesus’ time, and we know he healed the blind on many occasions. However, Jesus is speaking about more than physical blindness, he’s speaking about spiritual blindness – which is the greater blindness. Many people are blind to the things of God, and Jesus came to remove barriers to belief. Such as a lack of faith, excuses, anger – things that stop us from seeing how much God really loves us and cares for us. Jesus was proclaiming that the day of the Lord’s favour had come. He came to proclaim that the blind would be given sight.
Release the OPPRESSED
Jews, in Jesus’ day, were oppressed by Roman occupation. But Jesus healed many who were oppressed in different ways. Those oppressed by demons. Those who had crushed spirits and broken dreams. Those who had heavy loads to carry. Jesus promises to raise the spirits of those who feel they have hit rock-bottom in life. Jesus was proclaiming that the day of the Lord’s favour had come. He came to proclaim that the oppressed would be released. Jesus’ ministry was a ministry of meeting people’s needs. Of grace; of mercy; of salvation; of forgiveness; of reaching out where there is hurt, despair and pain.
Jesus came to bring healing, wholeness and restoration in body soul and spirit. And we will pray for all those things in our service this morning.
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this sermon is solely owned by its author, Revd Paul A. Carr. The reproduction, or distribution of this message, or any portion of it, should include the author’s name.
You can download a copy of the service sheet we used here A Service of Healing & Wholeness – Absent & Present
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