The People Were Amazed
by bobbi richardson 4/13/2011 / Devotionals
Luke 4:16 (NIV) - He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.
From the scroll that was handed to Him Jesus read: "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, (Isaiah 61:1-2-NIV)
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back and said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
And the people were amazed. (Luke 4:22)
Was this the One they had been anticipating for hundreds of years? Had their prayers finally been answered?
Yes, this was the promised Messiah, the One who had been appointed by God with the help of His Spirit to bring God's favor; to proclaim that the time of God's grace had come. It was Jesus who would provide reconciliation and forgiveness. Jesus would lead the way into God's Kingdom.
He would bring hope and encouragement to the poor; those who were poor spiritually as well as those who were poor and oppressed physically.
By His death and resurrection He would bring vengeance on death and end the bondage of sin forever.
Our Lord and Savior came to fulfill a prophesy. He brought us comfort, opened our eyes and ears, freed us from sin and gave us hope.
