Fully Devoted: JesusSample

Announcement With Authority 

Jesus announced the arrival of God’s Kingdom. And even through its announcement it becomes clear that we’re dealing with something altogether different. 

Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee, and word about Him spread quickly. His hometown was in that region, so one Sabbath He decided to stop by the synagogue to teach a message. This was anything but a random decision. Jesus had a very important announcement to make. He was handed the scroll of Isaiah, which fit the occasion perfectly. Here’s what He read: 

“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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 NIV

Jesus pauses to roll up the scroll and hand it back to the attendant. Everyone’s eyes are fixed on Him. You could’ve heard your own breaths if you were in the room. What would Jesus say about this age-old prophecy of hope, healing, and freedom? Was this about to be another doomsday message? Another empty promise? No. Jesus looks back at the crowd and clearly proclaims:

… “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21 NIV

The people collectively gasp, unsure whether to plug their ears so they don’t hear more blasphemy, or shout with joy and relief because their Rescuer is coming. They lean in, astounded. 

Why were they so amazed? 

1. They knew Jesus’ story.

2. He spoke with authority. 

Jesus’ hometown crowd was His harshest critic because they knew all about His meager beginnings. Suddenly, Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one they’d played games with on the street, the one they’d had holiday meals with, was claiming Messiahship. And they’d missed it. A lack of humility always breeds arrogance or insecurity. Both of these are expressions of pride. And pride, more than anything, keeps us from the Kingdom of Heaven. It blinds us to the story God has been telling in history because it puts “me” at the center of everything. Jesus calls them out for this by referencing the way the people treated the prophets in the Old Testament. And they didn’t like it. They literally got so offended that they tried to kill Him! Which is another sign that pride is the issue here. Pride rejects feedback from others—humility embraces it and gets better. 

So, Jesus continues moving through the region and teaching. Which brings us to reason number two the people were amazed:

They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. Luke 4:32 NIV

After making His earth-shattering announcement, the next three things we witness are so powerful. He casts a demon out of someone. He heals people from sunup to sundown. And He preaches the good news of the Kingdom. 

Basically, He backs up His announcement by doing exactly what He said He would do: setting the oppressed free, offering recovery of sight to the blind, and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. 

Authority doesn’t come from being the biggest or the bossiest. It doesn’t come by force or coercion. It comes from service and compassion. Real authority is born out of integrity. This is a massive distinction in the Kingdom of Heaven. The kingdoms of this world will tell us that the only way to get what we want is to force our will on others, but Jesus shows us that the secret to success is actually to serve them. And this is exactly how Jesus announced His upside-down kingdom. 

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NIV

Journaling Questions

• What Scripture stands out to you from today’s reading? Write it in your journal. 
• In your own words, compare and contrast the world’s version of authority and the Kingdom of Heaven’s version.
• What arrogance or insecurity do you need to confess today?