The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2 KJV
Luke 4 informs us that after He had been tempted by Satan for forty days in the wilderness Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit to Nazareth, attended the synagogue on the Sabbath and was given the book of Isaiah to read from. He opened it, read Isaiah 61:1-2, and sat down. As all eyes were fixed upon Him He said, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears (Luke 4:21).” With this statement He was claiming to be the Anointed One of God, the Messiah. This marked the official start of His ministry, He would preach the gospel to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, preach deliverance to the captives, recover sight to the blind, set the bruised at liberty, and preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Lord, it is amazing that on the day You applied this portion of Scripture to Yourself rather than receive the benefit of it those who heard You actually sought to kill You. Your claim separates people. It leaves us with only two choices: either You are who You say You are or not. Regretfully many have chosen not to believe. I have been blessed by believing.
