Good News for the Broken
It was Jesus' custom to teach in the synagogue when He entered a town. On one occasion, He entered the synagogue in His own town, and He stood up and read this passage: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18–19 ESV) Then He followed up with this claim: "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21 ESV)
What a bold statement! At first the crowds were impressed, but Jesus didn't leave things there. He leaned in and explained that God's heart was for the entire world, not just Israel. He reminded them of God's concern for the Gentiles by referring to Elijah and the widow of Zarephath and Elisha and Naaman the Syrian. That didn't sit too well with the crowd. Luke 4:28 (ESV) says, "And all in the synagogue were filled with wrath."
Why this sudden change of heart? Jesus was challenging their assumptions about who was worthy of God's mercy. Could it be that they loved having Jesus talk about salvation, but they didn't want to change their own hearts toward people who were different from them?
Breaking Down Walls
This passage reminds me of many people who struggle with ministries that focus on people who are different from themselves, especially those incarcerated — the ones society throws away. I'm so excited to report that God is breaking down stereotypes about prisoners! We were blessed to host a kickoff dinner at Neighbors and Nations for No Place Left Prison Ministries.
The No Place Left prison movement began in Texas and has now moved to Oregon and the entire West Coast of the United States. It was a wonderful night of testimony and vision casting. As a result of the dinner, we've seen interest in Orange County, Riverside County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and Sonoma County jails and prisons. It seems clear that God is raising up people who carry a burden for reaching inmates throughout the California prison system.
Please Pray
- For those men and women who are beginning to connect and are looking for God's direction.
- For favor in the prison system to allow access to these volunteers.
- For Joe Kimmel, who's heading up this work on the West Coast, and for Don Waybright and Brandon Light in Texas.
- For prisoners of peace — those who are not only receptive to the Gospel, but who are willing to become disciple-makers and church planters inside the walls of California's prisons.
Jesus set you and me free . . . And He wants to set the captives free indeed!
Amazed by Jesus, — JT