Jesus's Mission

At this point in Jesus’s life, reports about him were spreading through the region and people in his hometown of Nazareth were curious. To answer their questions, Jesus, when it was his turn to read Scripture in the synagogue, opened the scroll to Isaiah and read an ancient prophecy about himself and his mission. He came to bring the “Good News” to the poor, the captive, the blind, and the oppressed. God loved even the most marginalized and had set in motion a plan to save them—a plan that would ultimately be fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus our mediator.

From an Africa Study Bible proverbs and stories note titled “Uneasy Truths”:

The people of Nazareth turned against Jesus because they thought Jesus was condemning them with his references to the Gentiles who received God’s grace instead of Jews (Luke 4:23-28). An Igbo proverb of south-eastern Nigeria says, “When dry bones are mentioned, old women are always uneasy.” 

When people hear the truth about themselves, they tend to be uncomfortable. A message that leaves people unmoved probably does not have truth that applies to the listeners. 

As you read the Gospels, you may be confronted with difficult sayings and painful realities. The key is to read and listen with your heart open to Christ’s message.

Reflect or Discuss

How does Jesus describe his mission? 

In what ways can you apply his mission in your life? 

Despite Jesus’s mission to bring Good News, the people of his own hometown rejected him. Why do you think that, even though they were amazed by his gracious words, the truth he spoke made them so angry? 

Do you know someone who really lives out the good news of Jesus? What can you learn from them?