Twenty-one Days before Christmas!

“18 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,
19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
Luke 1:18-19 (New American Standard Version)

The Gospel according to Luke takes a serious and sensitive look at Jesus’ life through the eyes of attentive and faithful follower of Christ. A Gentile physician (Colossians 4:14) and historian by trade Luke provides a detailed account of the Person, nature and ministry of Christ on earth.

Luke begins his narrative by dealing with Christ’s humanity and His resistance to the onslaught of satanic temptations in obedience to the Word of God. The first eleven verses of Luke chapter 4 records the conflict between Jesus and Satan. Luke observes that Jesus ended the battle by making the solemn declaration, “It has been said, you shall not tempt the Lord your God” (v12). This incident marks the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean ministry.

Christ’s Mission Statement
According to Hebrew customs, it was common practice for a distinguished guest to be invited to read from the biblical scroll one of the passages designated for a given Sabbath (vv. 16-17) and then to expound on it. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus read a text that includes on e of Isaiah’s messianic prophecies (Isaiah 61:1-2). Upon completing the reading, Jesus stuns his audience by declaring it to be in Him at that very moment. This was Jesus’ famous mission statement for His earthly ministry.

Christ’s Purpose Statement
One of the hallmarks of Christ’s ministry was not only the miracles that took place but “…His teaching, for His word was with authority” (vv. 31, 32). Throughout His ministry, all that He did and taught was with total authority. His authority was based on truth. He is the embodiment of truth (John 8:32). No wonder that during His earthly ministry He impressed people with the profound validity of His teaching. Jesus knew his purpose, for He declared “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

Friend, may I ask you two simple questions; what is the purpose in life? And what is your mission statement? I pray that you can seek the Lord concerning these probing questions. And I hope that you receive the answer in twenty-one days. God bless you this Christmas!