Luke 3:14-21

Luke 3:14-21 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 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, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

God's favor came to earth in the form of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to rescue the multitudes, the many of this world: the poor, the prisoners, the blind, the oppressed, the lonely, the disrespected, the sick, the unsuccessful. He came to rescue those who need rescuing, for salvation flows abundantly to those who earnestly desire God's help. The self-sufficient, the rich, the self-made man will live in their satisfaction and die in their sins unless they turn to him. However, most of the people in the world are in the multitude who need Jesus desperately. They need his answers, his voice, HIS FAVOR. Praise God, the needy are the ones He came to rescue, to make them into the CHILDREN OF GOD.

Are you needy? Do you long for God every day? Is your focus on him or on self? Are the praises of the Holy Spirit emanating from your lips, or do you praise only people? Do you admire the rich, the famous, or do you love the people around you? Do you want to be near the successful, or do you want to be near those who God favors in the above passage? I often think many Christians would quickly go see a rock star, a celebrity, a famous football player, a political figure, but reluctantly would go see a humble Jesus, a person without a home or many raiments. We Christians sometimes grouse around because we don't experience the blessings of the Lord, and the realities of our hearts and minds are many times focused too heavily on the things of the world. Our orientation is towards the world and the things in it, not towards God and his domain. So often we put Jesus on the back burner.

In the above passage, Jesus is talking about those with difficult lives. He points out clearly those are God's favored ones for the "good news" is being sent to them. Nevertheless, we Christians often tend to favor the most successful among us. James talks about that. We bow at the feet of those who win the world, who seemingly accomplish the most, even though they are mere, finite flesh. We tell of their mighty exploits by the hours, but become extremely tongue-tied when the conversation turns to God and his kingdom. Are we truly the needy? Are our hearts really oriented towards God or towards the world and self? This question needs an answer. But it may not be a question that we want to face honestly.

If you are looking for joy in your heart, a real happiness, seek God first, for his intentions are to make you his beloved child. I know none of us can imagine fully that eternal reality. But nevertheless, God's intentions for you are mighty and glorious. True, you might not be mighty or glorious in this world; life might seem rather hopeless for you at the moment. But I want to remind you, SOMEDAY YOU WILL BE INTRODUCED TO GOD IN HIS CELESTIAL THRONE ROOM. YOU WILL BE WEARING THE LOVELY, HEAVENLY GARMENTS OF ROYALTY, ACQUIRED FOR YOU SPECIFICALLY BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. SUBSEQUENTLY, YOU WILL BE PRIVILEGED TO SIT AT THE FEET OF YOUR FATHER GOD, AND BEHOLD HIS GLORY. Then, and only then, will you understand fully his great redemption plan. You will comprehend all the things you have experienced in your life. Every tear will be wiped away. Every anxiety will disappear. Yes, Jesus rolled back the scroll and revealed to all who GOD FAVORS and IT IS YOU.