Meditation
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME
Text: Luke 4
19 March 2023
THE CITY OF NAZARETH
The Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary had to return to Bethlehem because of a census ordered by Caesar Augustus. They escaped to Egypt because of Herod’s threat to kill all infants under three years.
Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth in the North. The Lord Jesus grew up in Nazareth. The distance between Bethlehem and Nazareth was about 112 km.
MINISTRY IN NAZARETH
The Lord Jesus returned to Nazareth after His temptations in the Wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). He made a strong and bold declaration at the local synagogue there.
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
- The Anointing of the Spirit
a) To authenticate the Ministry of the Lord Jesus
b) To anchor His Ministry
c) To authorise His Ministry
- The Arena of His Ministry
a) The poor
b) The broken-hearted
c) The captives
d) The blind
e) The oppressed
THE SON OF MAN
This was the Ministry of the Lord Jesus as the Son of Man. Two things would ensure His success in Ministry.
- The Gospel of salvation
a) The grace of God would be given
b) Faith must be exercised
- The power of ministry
a) The Holy Spirit of God will grant full power and authority
b) This resulted in Miracles
Our challenge is to appreciate afresh the ministry of the Son of Man! May we be challenged to follow Him as His Disciples!