Winter Quarter: Unit II, Lesson 5

The New Year is underway. The celebrations have ended. The cleanup is over. Most are finished with the leftovers from the New Year’s dinner. A few have already broken the promises, pledges, and resolutions uttered on the first day of the year. Yet, there are others who are yet riding a jubilant high at the acknowledgment that for at least 72 hours, they have maintained their commitment to a new life. Something changed for these people when they resolved to not return to past behaviors that once hindered their personal growth, spiritual awakening, and dedication to working for the Lord. Whether a timely word from the preacher, lyrics from a gospel song, or a message from a friend or fellow believer, something has spoken inspiration and comfort into your life at just the right moment. The event that sparks a flicker of revival in your soul is not random or coincidental. Such occurrences are God-ordained appointments to get your attention and lift you to a place of greater effectiveness for God’s kingdom. Today’s lesson is about not only acknowledging the potential that God placed within you, but also about your passion and power to promote change both for yourself and others. God makes all things new—it is never too late to make a change (see Revelation 21:5). God is with you; His Spirit lives within You. Welcome this new day and new season. Your change starts now.

The proclamation of a special year of the Lord’s favor is a reference to the Year of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:8-55). Jubilee was a time when old debts were forgiven, slaves freed, and land returned to its original owners. Isaiah refers to Jubilee in the context of a restoration of Israel after the nation’s enemies had humbled her (see Isaiah 61:2). Jesus made the reference regarding the new day He would bring. Paul may have been making a Jubilee reference when comparing the new covenant to the old covenant (see 2 Corinthians 3:17-18). This new covenant offered a new beginning for all of humanity and an opportunity to experience spiritual rebirth in Jesus Christ. As Jesus stood in the synagogue to read from the scroll of Isaiah 61, He publicly revealed Himself as God’s anointed servant, the Messiah. This was a rare occasion, since Jesus generally avoided the title until the closing days of His earthly ministry drew near (see Matthew 16:20; Mark 1:25, 34; 7:36). Jesus read from Isaiah’s prophecy after overcoming Satan’s temptations and fasting for forty days and nights (see Luke 4:1-13). Jesus was thirty years old and had reached the qualifying age to officially minister the Word in the synagogues and be regarded as a rabbi, priest, or prophet. After His declaration, Jesus continued to preach and live out His calling (see Matthew 5–7, 25:31-46; Luke 6:17-36). Although Jesus did perform many notable signs, wonders and miracles, none of these fulfilled His primary mission from God.

The Power to Proclaim (Luke 4:14-16)

KJV

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

 

NIV

14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,

After forty days of fasting and prayer in the wilderness, Jesus returned to Galilee (see Luke 4:1-13). The considerable impact of Jesus’ ministry was enabled by the tremendous power of the Holy Spirit—the same power that equips every believer for effective ministry and service. Jesus was no stranger to the people of Galilee—people knew Him as the son of Joseph, the local carpenter. News regarding Jesus’ ministry spread throughout Galilee (verse 14). People were moved by His teaching and praised Him for it (verse 15). Jesus arrived at the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was His custom (verse 16). It is important to note that Jesus made a habit of being present in the sanctuary for the teaching of God’s Word. From childhood, Jesus had maintained a sharp interest in the Word and had even engaged teachers in the Temple at Jerusalem (see Luke 2:39-52). It was not unusual for Jesus to stand and to read and explain the Scriptures. It was there, in the synagogue, on the Sabbath that Jesus officially confirmed His ministry. He was the Messiah, but this mile- stone moment of ministry was marked with the same low-key humility as Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. There was no fanfare or attention-seeking grandeur—Jesus stood before the people as one of them. He was God incarnate, yet fully human and fully present among the people of His own home territory.

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Jesus retreated to the wilderness to fast and pray for spiritual power for ministry. What do you do to spiritually recharge yourself?

 

The Prophecy to Proclaim (Luke 4:17-19)

KJV

17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

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.

NIV

17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

19 “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

 

As Jesus stood in the synagogue, before friendly faces who had praised His authoritative teachings, He read from the scroll from the book of Isaiah. Jesus stood firmly, clothed with boldness and humility to read from Isaiah’s prophecy (verse 17). Specifically, Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2. The text does not indicate whether the Isaiah passage was assigned to Him or whether He chose to read the selected Scripture verses of His own accord. Either way, the message would resonate with everyone present. Jesus followed the reading with an official announcement that He was the fulfillment of the prophecy He had just read—He was the anointed one of God (verse 18a). The reader should note that the Hebrew word Messiah and the Greek word Christ both mean “anointed” or “anointed one.” The weight of the text is further expanded with Isaiah’s summary of the Anointed One’s mission—specifically (1) to preach the Gospel or “good news”; (2) to heal the broken hearted; (3) to preach deliverance to captives and the recovery of sight to the blind; (4) to liberate the bruised; and (5) to preach the acceptable Year of the Lord (verses 18-19). Synagogue listeners would have recognized the passage as a reference or commentary regarding Jubilee law. Jesus began His reading with a bold, prophetic proclamation: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (verse 18a). Those who want to take the message of Jesus to the world must make Jesus’ proclamation their own, serve humbly, find creative ways to serve, and proclaim the Good News of salvation.

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Make a list of persons you know who need to receive the Good News of Jesus Christ. Where and with whom will you begin sharing? How will you make the decision?

 

 

The Platform To Proclaim (Luke 4:20-22a)

KJV

20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.

NIV

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.

 

In an impressive and quiet yet powerful manner, Jesus, after reading the text, closed the book (or rolled up the scroll), and just simply sat down as everyone in the room fastened their eyes on Him (verse 20) in anticipation of some exposition of the text. To really grasp what has occurred, you must visualize the scene. Jesus quite possibly has been out of the area for several months. He returns to His hometown and appears to volunteer to read. After reading the text, He does not continue to stand and expound on the text, but He takes a seat. Only master, senior teachers would sit and expound on the Word. He sits as one of authority. The people watching with focused expectation indicated that they desired to hear from Him, and not necessarily those who may have routinely been the ones to explain the text to the people. Surely, He who has been teaching with power and authority, along with working a few miracles— including the turning of water into wine (see John 2:1-10)—was about to expound with a deep and heavy theological exposition. However, when Jesus does speak, according to the text, He speaks one sentence. Are you still visualizing the scene? Jesus, while seated as one with authority, boldly states, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (verse 21). The weight of the words obviously hit heavy with those present, as verse 22 captures them not only listening with amazement, but also questioning His upbringing (not in today’s lesson). Jesus’ platform is not His lineage nor upbringing, it is the Word of God by the Spirit of God. Lives can neither fully nor profoundly change without the power of God’s Word and guidance of the Holy Ghost. This, too, should be our platform for proclaiming God’s love and grace to the world.

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Jesus has given every believer power to proclaim the Good News. What are some proven strategies for sharing the Gospel?

This unit will deal with Jesus and the various callings within His ministry. This week’s lesson addressed the call to proclaim the Good News. We are all called and challenged to share God’s proclamation of liberty to the world. We should do so with joy, love, and humility, striking the right balance between spiritual truth and God’s love. God calls us beacons that draw sinners, and not bulldozers that knock them down and leave them wounded.

Make a list of someone in your family or circle of influence who needs to hear the Good News from the Word, whether for direction, comfort, or correction. Pray for an opportunity to share with them.

This week, journal your witnessing experiences, noting your progress in confidence and skill. Remember to write down your own personal experiences with Christ.

Lord, this week, please anoint us to serve You more faithfully. Send people our way who are hungry to hear a testimony or spoken word from God that will enable them to draw closer to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

While reading the Background Scripture, consider this thought: “Do you feel the calling to a significant work with the Lord?”

(January 4-10, 2021)
CALLED TO SIGNIFICANCE
MONDAY, January 4: “Called to Lead Israelites from Egypt” (Exodus 3:1-12)
TUESDAY, January 5: “Called to Deliver Israelites from Midianites” (Judges 6:11-16)
WEDNESDAY, January 6: “Called and Cleansed for Ministry” (Isaiah 6:1-8)
THURSDAY, January 7: “Single Mindedness Required to Follow Jesus” (Luke 9:57-62)
FRIDAY, January 8: “Repentance, Goal of God’s Kindness” (Romans 2:1-11)
SATURDAY, January 9: “Jesus Calls Peter to Ministry” (John 21:15-19)
SUNDAY, January 10: “Don’t Be Afraid to Catch People” (Luke 5:1-11)