By Travis Lauterbach

Jesus regularly attended worship services.

On one such occasion when he attended the synagogue, He read from the scroll of Isaiah.

“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)

Traditionally after reading from Scripture, the teacher provided commentary on what was just read.

Jesus went well beyond that: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)

That’s a stunning message of remarkably good news.

Here is the One who brings fulfillment to Old Testament prophecy, the hope and desire of nations.

God put His Spirit on Jesus at His baptism, sending Him forth to do the work of saving sinners.

Thus, Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

He came to preach good news to the poor. Though they are poor, in Jesus they are rich.

He was sent to proclaim liberty to captives held hostage in sin and death by giving His life as a ransom.

He came to give sight to those stumbling around in spiritual blindness, so that they see the truth and live in peace and quietness.

He came to liberate the oppressed. For those who abide in His Word of truth have been set free from slavery to sin.

He came to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. For the love and mercy of God Himself toward lost and condemned sinners is was shown through Jesus who saves.

And He showed that the word of Isaiah is fulfilled by reversing sin’s effect on creation.

He declared: “The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.” (Matthew 11:5)

Good news indeed!

Travis Lauterbach is the pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church located in the Falcon Ridge Business Park in Mesquite, NV.