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Luke 4:16-30 recounts the opening scene of Jesus’ public ministry in Luke’s gospel. The placement of this scene in Luke highlights the important role that it fills in his gospel. It is as if Luke can’t wait to tell us, Jesus is the hope of the world and the joy of our salvation.
Read Luke 4:16-22a aloud together:
18 “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, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
20 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. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.
1. This scripture introduces Jesus as the Messiah. Look back at the passage and list the things that Jesus came to do in our lives. What does it tell us about his mission?
2. Read Isaiah 11:2. What else comes with the Spirit of the Lord? How does this encourage you, knowing the Holy Spirit abides in all who believe and trust in Jesus?
3. Tymarcus made a distinction between the spiritual poor and the spiritual middle class. In what ways do you find yourself pulled toward the spiritual middle class?
4. How do we apply this passage to our lives? How are you personally and intentionally moving toward the poor around you (both the literal poor and the spiritual poor)?
5. What stirs your heart the most about Jesus’ mission? What could you share from this passage to encourage someone during the next week of Christmas?
Close in prayer. Glory to you, Immanuel! You are God with us. Worthy are you, the Christ, the Son of God, who came to save us from our sins. Glory to you, Lord Jesus! Amen.