1. (Read vs 14) Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit. He was the son of God and he walked in the power of the Spirit. In Acts 1:8 Luke wrote these words of Jesus to his disciples, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (KJV) So here we see that we can also walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were greatly transformed when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They changed from timid fishermen to bold messengers of the kingdom of God. How did this happen? Before, they were trying to do things in their own ability. The result: Peter denied Christ, Thomas doubted Christ, and most of the disciples fled at the first sign of trouble. But now they were doing things by the power of the Holy Spirit. They were no longer walking in their own adequacy; they were walking in God's ability, and depending on him for their help. If we want to be effective Christians, we need to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, not in our own power. Paul explained this in Galatians 5:16-17 (The Living Bible), "I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit's instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won't always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do, when the Spirit has his way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures." So we need to walk in the Spirit.

2. (vs 14) Notice, there went out a fame of him though all the region. Why? Because people were telling others about him. They were proclaiming Jesus, not their church, their programs, not the dynamic disciples, just Jesus. Are we as excited about telling others about him?

3. (Read vs 15) Jesus taught. He didn't preach, he taught. How many preachers today feel they have to put on a show, be entertaining. They may say many words, but how much is really taught. Scripture says that Jesus taught. In fact the format used in the synagogues was that of expository teaching. You read throughout the New Testament most of Jesus' messages hardly resemble most Christians' idea of a good sermon. He did not give elaborate illustrations, but spoke in stories about everyday life problems that people could identify with. Read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7. We see little of preaching there; it's mostly teaching. Jesus was a teacher. Are we looking for teaching, or for a dynamic, inspired, annointed message that will make us feel good. Godly teaching will change our life. Godly preaching will also teach us something. But emotional, feel-good sermons will make us look at the preacher instead of at Jesus.

4. (vs 15) This is an important verse because it tells us Jesus was glorified by all. The Greek word used here is doxazo. Thayer's Greek Lexicon gives us a good definition of this word. He writes (pg. 157) "to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged." If we want to know what makes a good message, or a good sermon, or a good teaching, we need to ask ourselves, is Jesus being glorified, or is the teacher, or the church, or the movement? Do you want to see others saved? Don't tell them about your church, or your wonderful pastor, or the lovely song service. Tell them about Jesus. Tell them the church is great because the people show the love of Jesus, the pastor is wonderful because he preaches Jesus, the song service is inspiring because they sing about Jesus. Scripture says, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32) Although Jesus was referring to the cross, I believe as we lift up Jesus, we will see men drawn to him. If people look to us, we will fail them. When people look to Jesus, then their lives are transformed.

5. (Read vs 16) "...as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day...." It was Jesus' custom to go to church. Is it our custom? It seems to me there are four stages of a believer's walk with the Lord. They are: 1st, the new believer stage; 2nd, the excited believer stage; 3rd, the bored believer stage; and 4th, the mature believer stage. Now, the 4th stage is one we will never reach in this lifetime. I know we like to think we are mature Christians, but what really happens in our life is we drift back and forth between the first 3 stages during our lifetime. Even those of us who have been serving the Lord for decades find there are times or areas in our life that we have to approach God as a new believer and just sit at his feet and learn. So realizing that we all go through all these stages at various times of our walk with God, let's take a look at what distinguishes each stage from the other.

First, the new believer stage. We know new believers need to be faithful to church so that they can learn and grow. They need the encouragement and support of fellow believers, they need to hear sound teaching out of the word, and they need to see the example set by other believers. This new believer stage is one of being fed. Just like a new-born baby is dependent on its parents to be fed and cared for, so a new believer needs a supportive church body to help him learn to take those first steps of his Christian walk. In a way we are all still new believers. We are still learning and growing in the Lord, and there are still times when we need others to be there to help us through some difficult times. But as Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2, there comes a time when we must stop being fed with milk and begin eating meat.

Second, the excited believer stage. The excited believers are those beyond the stage of being new believers, but they realize they haven't arrived at maturity yet. In fact, they will never reach that level in this lifetime. They are excited about the Lord, and so they want to continue learning more about him. But they don't just come to church to be fed, they also come to feed, to help others in their walk, to minister to the needs of others, to be involved in the work of ministry, in whatever area the Lord has opened up for them. They understand that we all need someone to come along side us from time to time to encourage us, to pray for us, to be a friend in time of need. This kind of believer looks forward to being in church, not only for growth in their own life, but to reach out to help others in their walk. When should a new believer begin to minister to others? No matter how old we are in the Lord, when we begin to minister to the needs of others and reach out beyond ourselves, we find the Lord ministers to our spirit and we grow in him. It's true that a teacher always learns more than those who he is teaching. If we want to truly grow in the Lord, we need to be willing to serve others.

Third, the bored believer stage. Yes, we don't want to admit it, but sometimes we become bored believers. The bored believers are those who think they've arrived at maturity, so they don't be in church every Sunday. When we are in this stage, we can get very self-centered in our Christianity. We only go to church when we feel like it. Sometimes we are looking for what the church can do for us instead of what we can do for others. If we don't have time to pray or read God's word, then maybe we'll just skip it. The problem is after awhile in this stage, we find our spiritual growth stunted. Some troubles come along, and then we're complaining about God allowing it to happen, and we start thinking the church people really don't care much about our misery, and we get a bitter attitude about life. Because we are so distressed about the whole situation, we may even feel less like going to church or reading the Bible or praying. This bored believer stage is one we want to avoid as much as possible.

I have learned over the years that most of the believers who consistently attend church continue to grow in the Lord. That's why God's word tells us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:25). When we are in church, no matter how far from God we feel, as we begin to sing songs of worship to him, we start to draw closer to him. If we never read the Bible at home, as we hear the pastor's message based on God's word, we begin to miss our own times alone with scripture. Even if we've spent weeks without praying, as we see other believers concentrating on God and his goodness, we begin to miss those quiet times of prayer alone with God. Even if we're so hard-hearted that we don't want to listen to what God is saying to us, the Holy Spirit can move on another believer to come along side us and encourage us in the things of God. Jesus didn't need to go to church. He is the church, but it was his custom to go every week. Can we do any less than he did?

6. (vs 16) "He stood up to read." This was a common practice where different people would stand up to read the portion of scripture which the minister of the synagogue had assigned for that sabbath. They would rotate the scrolls so that different portions of the Pentateuch and the Prophets were read. In a year's time all of the first five books of the Bible and most of the Prophets were read. Jesus stood to read. He believed it was important to read the Bible. He quoted it often. How important is reading the Bible to us?

(Read vs 17) Notice, this book of Isaiah is the one the minister of the synagogue had chosen to be read that sabbath. Little did he realize how divinely ordered was that choice of his. His position at the synagogue may have been an insignificant one. It doesn't tell us he was a Rabbi. The Rabbis did the teaching, but he was simply the custodian of the scrolls. His job was to meticulously set up the reading schedule so that much of God's word could be read in a year's time. I don't know if this was considered an important job or not. Perhaps the Rabbis looked down on him. Maybe he didn't think his work for the Lord was very important. But on this sabbath he was the instrument God used to set up one of the most amazing statements of Jesus' mission recorded in scripture. Perhaps you don't think you're doing anything important for the Lord. Take heart. God uses insignificant, but obedient, people to advance his kingdom. Sometimes the more important we think we are, the less God can use us because our self-importance keeps on getting in the way of what God wants to do in our life. God is not looking for charming, charismatic, talented, qualified, and take-charge leaders. He is searching for humble, obedient, servants.

1. (Read vs 18) This passage begins with two phrases of special divine appointment. First, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me." It's interesting to note that although this phrase is used sometimes for prophets as it is here in Isaiah 61, it is more often used in reference to leaders of Israel. For example: Gideon (Judges 6:34), Samson (Judges 13:25), Saul, (1 Samuel 11:6), and David (2 Samuel 23:2). But whether prophet or national leader, this term certainly reveals an appointment by God. The next phrase is "he hath annointed me." Kings, prophets, and the high priest were set apart to God by being annointed with oil. So once again we have a term of a divinely-sanctioned office.

2. Preach the gospel. Jesus was reading the Isaiah scroll written in Hebrew. I find it interesting that the Hebrew word here in Isaiah 61:1 for "preach the gospel," basar, originally meant "bring glad tidings." But notice how David uses the word in Psalm 40:9-10, "I have preached (basar) righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation." The Greek word used by Luke, evaggelizo, originally had the same meaning as the Hebrew basar. But with the spread of Christianity it took on new meaning, just as the Hebrew word did in David's day. As Thayer writes (pg. 256), it came to mean, "to proclaim glad tidings, to instruct concerning the things that pertain to Christian salvation." In fact our English word "evangelize" comes from this Greek word.

3. To the poor. The poor are important to God. We could say God was the first equal-opportunity employer. He welcomed anyone into his kingdom! As Barnes wrote in his commentary, "The Pharisees and Saducees despised the poor. Ancient philosophers neglected them. But the gospel seeks to bless them; to give comfort where it is felt to be needed, and where it will be received with gratitude." Although there were some wealthy believers in the early church such as Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, Lydia of Thyatira, and others, we see mention of God's concern for the poor throughout the Old and New Testaments. Jesus said "blessed are the poor in spirit" in Matthew 5:3 and told the disciples of John in Luke 7:22 one of the things to tell John is that "to the poor the gospel is preached." In Romans 15:26 Paul commends the believers in Macedonia and Achaia for helping out "the poor saints in Jerusalem." And James encourages believers in James 1:27 to care for the orphans and the widows, both categories of poverty in his day. In the Old Testament there were provisions made for the poor. In the law given to Moses in Exodus 23:11 the land was to be rested every seven years so "that the poor of thy people may eat." In Psalm 103:6 we see God taking the side of the oppressed where David wrote, "The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed." And Solomon gave this wise advice in Proverbs 14:21, "He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he." So we see throughout scripture God's concern for the poor. In fact, the larger portion of the believers in the early church were poor people. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence." Are you poor today? Do you have little of the world's goods? Well God sent his gospel especially for you.

4. He hath sent me. Jesus was sent. He was a fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament of God's plan to save mankind. As John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son...." Jesus was sent to a lost and dying world. Even before he was born, an angel declared to Joseph in Matthew 1:21, "...he shall save his people from their sins." God's plan throughout the Old Testament was to send a Savior. Now the perfect lamb sacrifice was sent to complete this divine plan. Why did Jesus come? Was it for God's benefit, was it for Jesus' benefit? No, it was for our benefit. As Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." I'm so glad that God sent his son.

5. To heal the brokenhearted. Sometimes the worst adversity in a Christian's life is not when he is racked with disease or when he is burdened with trouble. The most crippling affliction can sometimes be the overwhelming sorrow of the brokenhearted. No matter what anguish you are going through, Jesus came to heal you of your pain.

6. To preach deliverance to the captives. The Greek word used here for captives, aichmalotos, means those held captive by the spear, but as Vincent points out (pg. 291) can also mean those held captive "as prisoners of Satan in spiritual bondage." What holds you captive? Is it drugs or alcohol? Christ came to deliver you! Is it lust or pornography? Christ came to deliver you! Is it a violent temper or uncontrollable fear? Christ came to deliver you! In fact no matter what bondage you are in, no matter what chains seem to hold you down, no matter what emotional problems are controlling your life, Christ came to deliver you!

7. Recovering of sight to the blind. We know Christ healed many blind people during his ministry, but does he heal us today? Is God's healing power for today, or was it only revealed at the time of Jesus and the Apostles? James tells us in James 5:14-15, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church: and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." When we pray to God, he will perform his sovereign will. Sometimes his answer is yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait. But we know that God heals today. So as Hebrews 4:16 tells us, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

8. To set at liberty them that are bruised. Remember when you were a child and had a bruise. You'd come running in the house to get Mom's special attention to soothe your pain. This is the same thing Jesus offers to us. Sometimes we carry bruises for years: bruises from childhood, pain in our marriage, sorrow in our life, difficulties on the job, wounds from our friends or relatives, confusion in our life, financial perplexities, feelings of abandonment, betrayel, and loss. Christ came to set you free from these bruises that you have carried so many years. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

9. (Read vs 19) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. MacDonald in the Believer's Bible Commentary defines the acceptable year of the Lord: (pg. 197), "This present age of grace is the accepted time and the day of salvation. ...the dawning of a new era for this world's sighing, sobbing multitudes. He presented Himself as the answer to all the ills that torment us. And it is true, whether you think of these ills in a physical sense or in a spiritual sense. Christ is the answer." Jesus proclaimed the acceptable year almost 2000 years to the people in Nazareth, but the acceptable year for us is today. Today is the day to hear the gospel though we are poor. Today is the day to be healed though brokenhearted. Today is the day to be delivered from the bondage that enslaves us. Today is the day to be healed of our diseases. Today is the day to have our bruises soothed. Today is the acceptable time.

1. (Read vs 20) After Jesus closed the book, he sat down, and Luke informs us, "The eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him." Jesus was the focus of all those gathered there at that point. That should be the attention of every church service, every time of prayer, every home study fellowship, every time of praise and worship singing, every activity everyday in every moment of every believer's life. The focus must be on Jesus. Are our eyes on Jesus? Or do the distractions of work, family, and social activities keep us from seeing him? We see children distracted from Jesus by new clothes, name-brand tennis shows, and fancy new toys; we see adults distracted by a new car, a new house, job prestige, and social contacts; we even see churches distracted by fancy new building projects, exciting programs, and entertaining services. But Luke tells us their eyes were fastened on Jesus. Jesus must be the center of all that we do. In Matthew 14:22-33 is recorded the story of Jesus calling Peter to join him as he walked on the water. Notice that in verse 29 it says, "And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus." He was looking to Jesus. His entire attention was on him. And as long as his eyes were fastened on Jesus, Peter walked on the water. But observe what happened in verse 30, "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." As soon as he took his eyes off of Jesus and started looking at the storm around him, he began to sink. If we are going through a storm and it seems like the wind is howling around us and the waves are beating over us, learn this lesson from Peter: keep your eyes on Jesus and you won't sink.

2. (Read vs 21-22a) Note that after Jesus made his remarkable statement: "this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears," verse 22 says, "And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." His declaration in verse 21 was a fulfillment of hundreds of Old Testament promises. I have a whole book which was published in paperback containing all these prophecies. It is clear that this passage in Isaiah from which Jesus was reading is talking about the coming Messiah or Servant of Jehovah. As Franz Delitzsch wrote in 1875 (Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, vol. 7, pg. 425-426), "when Jesus was in the synagogue at Nazareth, after reading the opening words of this address, He closed the book with these words, 'This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears' --cannot be interpreted more simply in any other way, than on the supposition that Jesus here declares Himself to be the predicted and divinely anointed Servant of Jehovah, who brings the gospel of redemption to His people." If we can imagine the picture here: a whole synagogue of believers hoping for some day the coming of their promised Messiah, now being told that the day has arrived, that this is the acceptable year of the Lord. What was their reaction to this news?

3. (Read vs 22a) No wonder they "wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." I would imagine the best way to describe what they were feeling would be to think about how we would feel if this Sunday we heard the trumpet of God sounding and suddenly realized that the time for the catching away of the believers was at hand and that soon we would be in the very presence of Jesus, to meet him in the air, and to spend the rest of eternity with him. How would you feel? That was the initial response of these Jewish believers in the synagogue.