Luke 4. 09.04.25
SCRIPTURE
“But Jesus said, “I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns also—because—this-is-WHY-I-was-sent.””
Luke 4:43 NIV
OBSERVATION
Jesus, FULL of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. During that time Jesus ate nothing. The temptations lasted Forty days—and for forty days Jesus was fasting. Tempted means to “put to the test”.
Jesus was SENT for a Specific Purpose.
The Holy Spirit had led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days—to be tempted not to see IF He was ready—but to demonstrate that HE was Ready. Adam, though created perfect, gave in to temptation and passed sin on to the whole human race. Jesus, by contrast, [being Fully Man AND Fully God] resists Satan-demonstrating:
the Messiah has COME —at last—
with GOOD NEWS —Freedom to Break the Chains of sin.
““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because —HE anointed ME —to preach the gospel to the poor.
HE has SENT Me—to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set FREE those who are oppressed,
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”
And JESUS began to say to them,
“TODAY—this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.””
(Luke 4:18-19, 21 NASB1995)
APPLICATION
The Spirit of the LORD is on Me—The Spirit of the LORD is on You-
Jesus IS Still Setting People FREE and
HE has Passed His Anointing to Preach the Gospel—on to every —Believer.
Jesus said,
I MUST proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God-this is WHY-I was Sent.
It took me a long time to realize that Jesus passed this very strong conviction onto me. Not because I was anyone special. I can tell you with certainty-I am not.
I can remember when I was first saved in 1981–meeting two people at a home group. God is so providential. I didn’t want to go-but my mom begged me to go with her as it was a work friend of hers who she found out went to our same church (church on the way-Van Nuys). So I conceded. I met an older woman (Sally) who was so spiritually powerful and in love with God-she would become my lifelong spiritual mom. And I later would meet another friend-Ginger-who would become like a sister and so much a part of our family that she and I gave my mom her wedding shower a few years later —and many years later she flew down to be with me and help me care for my mom in her final days on hospice.
Ginger was a missionary when I first met her—I had never met anyone like that before. She had such strange and extraordinary stories of being in exotic places. When we first met she had just come back from Papua, New Guinea. Some mission trips were short and some were extended. She would often ask through the years-if I would visit her during extended trips-especially when she was in Ethiopia- saying how lovely the people were. And I would jokingly say, “Honey, I just didn’t get that call from God. That’s your call”.
It’s true we may not be called to travel far away to distant lands. But, I am genuinely sad to say that it took me 39 years of my Christian life to understand that Jesus DOES in fact—Call-EVERY Believer.
We are all called to share His Love and Good News.
It wasn’t until COVID hit and Justin Eaves began doing a virtual zoom —Eave’s dropping—that God began to convict me about His calling on my heart.
We are all missionaries—some are called across the ocean—others are called right where we are. God didn’t save us to be “seat warmers” at Church on Sunday.
There is no fruit in being a “seat warmer”. Jesus said this about the importance of Fruit in His disciples (believers).
““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. HE cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2 NIV)
Don’t misunderstand me..
Church is vital —we need IT! We come to Be Equipped SO we can GO and COMPLETE the Mission Jesus has given us. We gather together. We pray and worship and LEARN from God’s Word-and encourage and SPUR each other on to GOOD works.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
(Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV)
We come to church—So we Can GO and DO what Christ has given us all to Do.
Make disciples. May we have the same urgency that Christ Himself had.
Jesus said—I Must..
Must -from the root word deo- from the root of doulos-slave.
The importance of this is to understand the meaning it carries —an inward constraint-it is not optional. It must Not be overlooked—or missed.
In Jesus well known Commission from Matthew 28
HE tells His Disciples to GO Make Disciples— two points stand out of importance.
The word “Go” is not literally a command—it is translated more accurately
“as you are going”. It is assumed that all of Jesus Disciples—WILL-Go.
“Make -is the specific and direct command that Jesus gave to all Disciples.
All who remain faithful to His Word ARE His Disciples and All Disciples —as they Go-
Are to MAKE More Disciples. Jesus didn’t Come and suffer death on a cross so we can come to church and sing a few songs and go out to a nice brunch. He Came SO we would MAKE Disciples. Not converts…Disciples.
“Jesus said—to the people —who believed—in HIM, “
“You are truly—my disciples—if—you abide in my word.” (John 8:31)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the Power of God
that brings salvation to everyone who believes...” (Romans 1:16 NIV)
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2-3 NIV)
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””
(Romans 10:14-15 NIV)
“Then Jesus came to them and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and MAKE disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I AM with you always, to the very end of the age.””
(Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
Thank YOU for Your goodness and Your patience to me. Thank You for showing me that it is every believer’s calling to Share Your Good News-and Make Disciples. It is not our skill, ability, or our power. Your word clearly tells us that Only those who the Father brings come to Jesus. Your timing is perfect. May we never shy away from planting and watering. This IS WHY-You have saved us. To Bring More people into Your Kingdom. That they may know Your Riches of freedom from sin, deliverance from bondage, Your amazing grace that brings sight to eyes that once were blind. You brought that fulfillment And it STILL is Being Proclaimed TODAY because of your faithful Called ones. I am yours.
Here I am, send me. Through the phone, on zoom, at the grocery or coffee shop. Only in Your Power and Grace. You broke the power of sin and death. You Bring Your unmatchable LOVE. You are Able.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka