Gracious Words

Luke 4:18-22 “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, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
 
WE repeat verses 18-21 from the previous lesson. We want to focus here on God’s favor – his grace to the Jews and to us.
    When Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2, he emphasized he had come in God’s power to announce the fulfillment of God’s grace upon mankind. This would be extraordinary news to God’s people. But were they confused about their God? For about 400 years prior to Jesus’ arrival, the Pharisee system was established. These leaders added an increasing number of encumbering rules to God’s laws. The Jews could easily see God as a restrictive taskmaster!
    Grace was unseen and silent in their view. God became impossible to comprehend, and the Jews’ hearts became more distant from their God.
    In God’s favor, though, Jesus came to free his people from both sin and the false “rules only” religion. This is one reason Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke (teaching) upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  He was urging the Jews to live under God’s gracious laws that point to redemption.
    Grace, of course, is the gospel’s foundation. The truth of God’s grace is a repetitive, necessary teaching in the New Testament epistles. The apostles urged the converted Jews and Gentiles to believe and know salvation came from God: Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –  it is by grace you have been saved. By grace – because of God’s favor – you have been saved.
    Do you believe you must do more and more to be saved, to be welcomed into God’s heaven? Or do you rejoice and rest faithfully in God’s grace because you know the gospel points you to redemption?
 
Prayer: I pray, Father, that I fully accept your gracious gospel. Thank you that Jesus’ blood has saved me into your gracious, loving arms forevermore. Amen.