CHRIST'S MISSION

Jesus came to Nazareth, went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and read from the book of Isaiah. He then declared that the passage pertained to Him, revealing His Messianic purpose ... 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed. Luke 4:18

1. Anointed to preach the gospel to the poor. Christ comes to sinful man as 'the Way, the Truth, and the Life'. He spreads hope to those who are dead in their sin, offering salvation and eternal life through faith in Him.

2. Sent to heal the brokenhearted. The guilt and shame of past sins weigh heavy on one's soul. Jesus brings forgiveness that renews your spirit and love that embraces the crestfallen. 

3. To proclaim liberty to the captives. You are bound by a sinful nature inherited by Adam's fall. Christ bore your iniquity on Calvary's cross, setting you free from a debtor's prison. He paid your debt with His life.  

4. Recovery of sight to the blind. This does not just refer to the recovery of literal eyesight (seen repeatedly in Jesus' healing ministry) ... but of 'spiritual eyesight'. By grace, He opens your heart and mind to the Gospel. 

5. Set at liberty those who are oppressed. When you are broken in spirit by circumstances that overwhelm you; when 'religion' fails and you see no way of escape ... Jesus Christ brings a 'peace that surpasses understanding' to the storms of life. 

He offers good news, healing, freedom, release, and joy to supplant the heartaches that inevitably come your way. Jesus went to the cross to deal with the root cause of your brokenness ... sin. The Lord gave His life as a ransom so that one day you could experience an eternity where there will be no more death, no more mourning, no more crying, and no more pain.

Praise Him for His goodness ...