1. "Liberty!"
a. Libya
In recent months, we have heard cries for liberty in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt. Revolts against the governments of these countries took place with great vigour. In Egypt, the dictator was overthrown, but at a great cost of human lives.
b. Israel
Israel in the 1st century was no different, being under a foreign dictator as well. Herod the Great, a half Jew, was put in charge of Israel by the Roman emperor. He was a ruthless ruler, speedily executing those who opposed him. The book of Acts records a couple of Jews Theudas and Judas who tried to oppose him. Their rebellions were quickly crushed (Acts 5:36-37).
In Luke 4:16-19, we read of Jesus standing up to speak in a synagogue in the town of Nazareth. He reads from the scroll of Isaiah,
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
The text is from Isaiah 61. It sounds like the start of a rebellion. Is that what Jesus has come to do?
c. World
In the 60s and 70s, some South American Christians preached that Jesus came to bring about social and political changes - that Jesus was interested in eradicating poverty and bringing about social justice.
Similarly, many of us today are concerned about the poor around us, and want to help them through charitable organisations.
Is this the liberty Jesus is bringing? What kind of liberator is Jesus?
2. Power Revolution
a. Power of the Spirit
Previously, the Holy Spirit had descended on Jesus like a dove (Luke 3:22). The next thing the Holy Spirit did was to lead Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days (Luke 4:1-2). After being tempted in the wilderness he returns in the power of the Spirit to Galilee (Luke 4:14). The Spirit of the Lord is on Him (Luke 4:4). This liberator seems very powerful.
b. People power
Not only that, he gathers a lot of attention in the surrounding country to Galilee, and is glorified by all as he taught in their synagogues (Luke 4:14-15). He has the attention of everyone (Luke 4:20). All speak well of him (Luke 4:22). News about himself spread to every place in the surrounding region (Luke 4:37). Many sought him (Luke 4:42). There were so many people who came to him that he needed a floating pulpit! (Luke 5:1-2)
c. Home rejection
However, he isn't accepted in his hometown (Luke 4:22, 24). In response to his low popularity in his hometown, he alludes to 2 Old Testament passages about how Elijah the prophet helped Zarephath, a non-Jew, and how Elisha another prophet helped Naaman, another non-Jew (Luke 4:24-27). Jesus point is that God has a good track record in looking after people who are not 'His own'. More often that not, God's own people reject Him.
Thus, instead of trying to boost his popularity in his hometown, Jesus becomes highly unpopular. The people in his own hometown turn on him, and even try to kill him by throwing him off the cliff! (Luke 4:28-30)
d. Power over demons
Jesus also does not seem to have come to deal with the Roman empire (Luke 4:31-37). When the demons call Jesus Son of God, they are right in saying so, but Jesus surprisingly silences them. Instead of allowing the message about Him being Son of God to travel further, He silences the demons! What kind of political liberator doesn't want an increase in media coverage?
e. Power over sickness
We sometimes don't think too highly of Jesus' healing of sickness because of modern medicine (Luke 4:38-39). We must remember that 100 years ago there were no antibiotics. People with fevers occasionally died from their illnesses. Simon's mother in law was ill with a fever. (As an aside, this means that Simon Peter, one of the Apostles, did marry and was not a virgin, contrary to many beliefs today). With a word, Jesus rebukes the fever and it leaves her. Jesus almost treats the fever like a personal being. Jesus comes with great power against the rulers of sickness. And unlike modern day doctors, His success rate is 100% (Luke 4:40).
f. God's new reign
Interestingly, even though he has success as a healer, he goes away to other towns to preach instead (Luke 4:43). His whole mission was to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. Again, it sounds like a political revolution - to overthrow the kingdom of the Romans.
g. Power over nature
To cap it all, He has power over nature. The liberator, with no fishing experience, tells Simon and his friends, seasoned fisherman, where and how to fish (Luke 5:3-7).
If Jesus has come as a political ruler or a social revolutionist, getting a lot of money seems to be a great start. He could earn a lot of money by selling fish that He can easily manipulate to be caught.
But is he really a new political leader or social revolutionist?
3. THE Liberator
a. Real captivity!
1. It is not a political regime change Jesus is trying to bring. He is not trying to win a crowd. Instead of trying to win a crowd in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth, He says something which is really offensive. Having become overly sought after for healing, he departs into the desert (Luke 4:42). He shuts up the demons despite them being potentially good advertisements for him.
2. Jesus has also not come to bring people out of poverty. In Mark 14:7, Jesus says, "For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me." Jesus is certain there would still be poor people around even after his work is done on earth.
What good news does Jesus bring to the poor then, as in Luke 4:18-19?
Jesus ushers in a kingdom that overcomes sickness and disease. He has come to proclaim a kingdom that frees people from captivity to demons and to the devil. This kingdom is a kingdom where the unclean people become clean. He has come to free the poor and oppressed under the Roman empire.
What is the common link between all these things?
They are all linked to sin. It was the nation's sin and disobedience to God that first put the Israelites in captivity under foreign rule. It is because of sin that there is sickness, disease, darkness and death.
Sin is the root cause of the captivity of mankind. Sin is the real captive of mankind. Sin captivates us. We want to live for ourselves and not for God. Sin is wanting to be God.
b. "Today"
In saying "Today" (Luke 4:21), Jesus is saying that the One who has come to bring liberation is now fulfilled in himself. It all hangs on Jesus. He is the one who has come to bring liberty.
c. Rejection or recognition?
The people of Nazareth did not understand! They should have gotten the warning that there were sinful. Instead, they rejected Jesus, and even tried to kill him!
On the other hand, Peter recognises Jesus' greatness and His own sinfulness, His own rebellion (Luke 5:8).
How will we respond the Jesus?
d. Change the world!
Jesus is the liberator who can change the world. He wants change in what matters for the whole world. Jesus has come to deal with the source of the world's problem.
Are we on Jesus' side?
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