The most powerful words-Jesus' Mission Statement

Luke 4:14-21 (NRSV)
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

-John 10:10 (NRSV)

Jesus' first act in his public ministry was to proclaim his mission statement: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." In John 10:10 Jesus gives us his vision statement: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

He was purposeful and he was specific. He had a definite distribution plan: recruit 12 people to take the message to the world. For three years he taught the twelve recruits. He lead by example and he gave them responsibilities. He mentored them as they stepped out to follow his lead.

The message never changed. As we are called to follow Him and we too are his disciples and bearers of this mission: to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. We are to let the world know his purpose: Jesus came that (they) those that follow him, may have life, and have it abundantly.

First we must know him, really know him. Second we must live the abundant life. Thirdly, we are to share the abundant life with everyone. Jesus said we are to have life and to have it abundantly.

My prayer: Lord, open my blind eyes to see you fully and free my captive mind that I may understand your mission and how I may live it and share it with all those I meet. Let it be! Amen.

In this season of Christ's passion, think on his words and understand that he came to give us abundant life.

Read more:

This holy week study will give you more insight on the last words of Jesus. The author, Peter Storey, expounds on the meaning in the words of Jesus as he faces his week of passion.