LUKE 4:14-21 – And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 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. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “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.” 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. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
THEME OF THE DAY. REMEMBER THE GOSPEL. Imagine one Sabbath and as was your custom, you went to the synagogue for worship. You arrived at the appointed time and settled into your normal seat. You decided to turn around and noticed a stranger walk in. He didn’t say a word and took a seat. Then a few minutes later, He stood up. The attendant of the synagogue walked to Him and gave Him a scroll. He began to read. It was today’s scripture from Isaiah. And what did He read to all in attendance? The powerful effects of His Gospel. He told us the good news. He told us the way to be free from the captivity of Satan, sin, and self. He told us of spiritual blindness turned to spiritual light and understanding. He told us oppression is lifted. And He pointed us to Himself as the One fulfilling all those liberating truths. He unfolded for us what the Gospel does to the believing sinner.
Friends, how often do we visit the Gospel in our hearts and minds? Have we grasped the truth that the Gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t just save us, but empowers us to live the Christian life? Jerry Bridges in his book The Discipline of Grace wrote, “The Gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message in all of history. Yet thousands of professing Christians live their entire lives without clearly understanding it and experiencing the joy of living it. It is the gospel by which we must live every day of our Christian lives.” The question begging to be asked is “Are we?”
Think about today’s scripture – the power of the Gospel – and evaluate our lives. Are we living in joy above circumstances because of the good news of the Gospel? Are we freed from the chains of sin in all areas of life because of the Gospel? Are we discerning the world and all its events through the spiritual sight of the Gospel? Are we liberated from the oppression of the devil, the world, and ourselves because of the Gospel?
Take time and meditate on the Gospel soon and make it a regular habit. It is not only the power of God unto salvation, but the daily power of God to live the Christian life with joy and purpose.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to never forget why Jesus came, what He did, and that it is by both of those I live each day.”
QUOTE: “Never drift away from the Gospel. Meditate on it. It not only saves you, but is the power for daily living.”