“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted...To proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:16-18).
We’re probably going to ‘camp out’ on this one verse (18) for the next few days as there is much to glean from it. If you want to truly gain more insight from God’s word, it helps to take your time with it and allow the Holy Spirit to open up our understanding, just as Jesus did for His disciples (Luke 24:32,45). There are no trophies waiting in heaven for those who read through their Bible the most times.
I closed out yesterday’s message asking you to prepare for today by reading vs. 1-18 in this chapter. We’ll get to the first part of those in a bit, but I want to focus on that very first utterance read from the scroll of Isaiah that Jesus opened up with: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor...”
What makes that statement so profound is that right after Jesus finished reading that, He returned the book (or scroll) to the attendant, then sat down and all eyes were on Him. Then...in a matter of speaking, Jesus basically is telling them (and the rest of the world)...”It’s here folks; it’s happening now...today!” (19-21). We then read how they all ‘marveled’ over the gracious words that came out of His mouth’. (22)
May I begin here with addressing the ‘elephant in the room’ by stating that not everyone out there today who is preaching the ‘gospel’ ... is ‘anointed’ ...to preach the gospel’. And being ‘anointed’ makes all the difference in the world. Over the years, I have heard my fair share of sermons preached and songs sang in an assortment of churches and religious gatherings. And I’ve always had this semi-humorous, private prayer that I found myself whispering that basically went like this: “Lord...if this person who is about to sing or preach does not have the ‘anointing’, please let them have talent or some personality.” IYKYK
I know this might be confusing for some to read, and receive, but it needs to be said- there is a huge difference between ‘talent’ and ‘anointing’. You can stand before people and sing beautiful songs or preach glowing words that in turn produces good feelings that can stir hearts with emotional tears and ‘goosebumps’; but that does not automatically equate with being ‘anointed’.
I am limited by words to fully explain this, so let me share this one lesson I learned during my first year pastoring a church many years ago. I was attending a mission conference and during the morning sessions, a number of visiting pastors were asked to share a short message with those in attendance. I have a vivid memory of sitting through that first day where three different speakers got up to teach. Being a new pastor myself, I was on the edge of my seat ready to ‘drink from the well’, wanting to learn and grow from these seasoned men of God. I have no recollection of the content shared that day, but I remember the first two speakers talking as I nodded and took notes. Then, the third speaker got up and the moment he opened his mouth, something just ‘went through me’ as I sat up and found myself hanging on his every word. The contrast was undeniable, to the point I had to pause midway and ask the Lord...”What just happened here?”
What ‘came to me’ was quick and profound, and yes, I believe it was the Lord answering my question. What I heard in my spirit was this: “Lots of people are out there today saying lots of good things, but not many are saying what I am saying.”
And you will know the difference when you experience it...especially if it is ‘truth’ that you seek and yearn for. (Rom. 8:16; John 6:63; 1 Cor. 2:10-14)
Being ‘anointed’ has nothing to do with having talent, intellect, or eloquence. Paul made it a point to stress that his preaching the gospel came NOT...with ‘persuasive words of human wisdom...but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God’. (1 Cor. 2:3-5)
What is sad, if not tragic...is we are living in a day where too many people are unable to discern the difference. And I’m not knocking good, intentioned people who are doing their best to teach from God’s word today, nor is it my gifting to know their hearts. But I can say this...if the preaching you are hearing today is not setting captives free, then it’s probably not anointed preaching. And I only state that because nearly everyone who attends church regularly will admit that they continue to ‘sin regularly’. And we know from what Jesus said: (most assuredly) “Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin...” (John 8:34). You do know that 'slaves' are not free. And ‘knowing the truth’ is what sets people free (John 8:32,36)
Which takes us back to Luke 4:18 as you read there how Jesus was anointed to ‘preach the gospel’...AND to ‘proclaim liberty to the captives’...along with ‘setting at liberty those who are oppressed’. Oppressed by what? Would you take a moment and flip over to Acts 10:38 and mark that in your Bible. Peter makes it known that “God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit AND...with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Anointed teaching/preaching will set captives free. Not talent, not intellect, nor the ability to speak with glowing words of eloquence or having great oratory skills. No wonder people marveled at the things Jesus spoke...and then did...as He set captives free from the bondages of the powers of darkness. (Luke 4:32-37; Mark 2:12; Ps. 107:20)
Anxious to hear more? Meet me back here tomorrow, Lord willing.
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