Nazareth Manifesto through the thoughts of a layman.

Luke 4:16-22

A Physician by profession, Luke was a fellow worker and traveler with Paul in the missionary journey.  His writings are very profound cause of the knowledge and writing skills he possessed. His writing are based on Mark and the Que-Source.  His intention was to share the Good News of Salvation in this Gospel – a message intended for everyone.

                Luke 4 persists of 6 events, all in which Jesus is present. Our focus today will be from 16-22 verses. It states as the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth.  This passage is better known as the Nazareth Manifesto, ‘The words of Isaiah’. What do we understand from this passage? Let me try to bridge the pitfalls in a layman’s understanding.

                                  1) Jesus: The Anointed One.

Throughout His ministry we realize that Jesus was the ‘Chosen One’, the Saviour king and messiah to redeem mankind from their bondage and sin. The only ‘begotten’ son of God. Jesus has taken almost 30 good years to train and perfect himself as per his father’s holy will so that He can be the ‘perfect one’ blameless and a great model for us.

                                  2) Jesus: The Redeemer.

As the manifesto of Isaiah is read and as we see the ministry of Jesus, we can see the image of a redeemer who sets free the captives, who brings good news to the poor, gives sight to the blind and frees the oppressed. Finally He, dies for us all and our sins on the cross of Calvary and resurrects on the third day.

                                   3) Jesus: The Fulfillment of the Scriptures.

After reading the scroll of Isaiah Jesus rolls it up and declares the fulfillment of the scriptures. Prophets like Isaiah, Amos have been proclaiming about the coming of a Messiah and this is the day that Jesus declares as the fulfillment of it and that He is ready and set for his ministry and mission. After a rigorous life of finding the will of God through Him and being trained in doing so He is finally ready.

                We as true disciple and true Christians, a question arises to us – “The Master is ready but are we?” He is ready to accept us but are we willing? He is knocking the door of our heart. Rev. 3:20 states it. A common portrait of it is Jesus knocking the door and asking. This portrait is very meaningful if we keenly observe it, the lock of this door is nowhere to be seen. It assumed to be the door of our hearts and the lock is inside, so now it’s up to us if we let this ‘Messiah’ into our hearts. May God prepare us for this.

Prayer: Lord, help us to understand that You are the Messiah and to accept you. And the Good news that you bring to us. Help us to understand that you are the anointed one, the redeemer and the fulfillment of the scripture. Amen.