The News Times, July 8, 1995
Rev. Robert Collischonn
The fourth chapter of the gospel of Luke records Jesus' announcement to those in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth, that he was the long awaited messiah. This came as such a shock to them, that this man Jesus whom they grew up with,was ng such a claim, that they attempted to stone him, rather than believe him. People in Jesus time are in most ways no different than people today, most of us still live by the shoot first and ask questions latter philosophy. We still dismiss what we dont comprehend.
"The Spirit of the lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)
The beginnings of his spirit anointed ministry are seen in Luke 3:21 where the spirit descended on him and the voice of God was heard. The good news that he preached to the poor was that they were important to God, and that due to their r*y they were not encumbered by the things of this world and thereby more able to seek the love of God. The freedom he proclaimed was to prisoners of sin, as carrying the penalty of death for that sin. It is to these people that John 3:16 holds out the promise of eternal life. The sight that he gives to the blind is the spiritual sight first and foremost. This spiritual sight is needed to recognize our sinful state. It is Spiritual sight that is needed to see the love and mercy that God desired to so freely give us, and it is Spiritual sight that will help us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in this way that Jesus will release those who are oppressed and free us from the trap of sin, so as to destroy, the work of the devil (1John 3:8).
He began to proclaim the year of the Lord’'s favor right then and there in Nazareth, yet they were blind and would not see. Jesus spoke of such as these when he quoted Isaiah (Mat:13,15) "For these people’'s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with they hearts and turn, and I would heal them."
What will have to happen before people desire the spiritual sight that Christ offers, before their desire to understand with their heart, before they turn to God and allow him to heal them? Are you waiting to hear God's voice? God spoke the ten commandments to Israel at Sinai (Ex:20:22) yet one month later they rebelled against those very commands. Do you desire to see a miracle? Jesus told us through the account of Lazarus and the rich man that even if one were to rise from the dead, people would not believe. This he proved through his own death and resurrection. Must it take a crisis in your life, a tragedy of major proportions before you'll cry out to God? Where ever you are in your faith, Jesus Christ, who is still alive today, desires to bestow and increase the sight of those who are spiritually blind, yet the year of the Lord'sfavor is coming to a close. Don't wait for that tragedy to strike, or until some great sign appears before you turn to Jesus and desire spiritual sight. He is waiting for you today to turn to him and seek his kingdom and righteousness.
Rev. Robert A. Collischonn, Pastor, Hosanna Assembly of God.