Day 2

Scripture to Read: Luke 4:17–19

The typical order of service in a synagogue often began with prayers and blessings, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and supremacy. Then the “Shema,” a declaration of faith in one God (Deuteronomy 6:4–9), was recited. Often, portions of the Torah (the first five books of the Pentateuch, attributed to Moses) were read. Then, a selection from the Prophets was read, known as the “Haftarah” (a series of selections from the books of Nevi’im of the Hebrew Bible that is publicly read in synagogue as part of Jewish religious practice). Next, a teacher or rabbi would often provide interpretation and teaching based on the readings. So, God had Luke record in Luke 4:17–19, “17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 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, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.’” Jesus read from the Book of Isaiah 61:1–2. Jesus read one of the prophecies about Himself, but of course the people had no idea. There are over 400 prophecies about our Lord in the Old Testament, and Jesus came and fulfilled almost all that has been prophesied about Him. The probability of one man fulfilling just eight of those 400-plus prophecies is 1 in 10 to the 17th power and Jesus fulfilled all but a few.

Challenge & Application

We know Jesus came to proclaim release to the captives, but who are the captives and what are they released from? Who are the oppressed in Luke 4:18, and how are they set free from their oppression?

Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!

Devotionals from this week

Swipe to Discover More

Day 1

Jesus knew what He came to do: to preach the gospel of God, to seek and to save the lost, and to give His life as a ransom for many. God had Luke write in Luke 4:16, “And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.” Jesus went to the city where He had...

Read

Day 2

The typical order of service in a synagogue often began with prayers and blessings, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and supremacy. Then the “Shema,” a declaration of faith in one God (Deuteronomy 6:4–9), was recited. Often, portions of the Torah (the first five books of the Pentateuch, attributed to Moses) were read. Then, a selection from th...

Read

Day 3

Jesus had just read from Isaiah 61:1–2, and as was customary, He was expected to provide interpretation and teaching based on the reading. God had Luke record the following in Luke 4:20–22 “And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them...

Read

Day 4

No doubt, what Jesus had taught never took root. God had Luke record this in Luke 4:23–30, “And He said to them, ‘No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’ 24 And He said, ‘Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. 25 But ...

Read

Day 5

Jesus continued His ministry, and we read this in Luke 4:31–37, “And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; 32 and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud v...

Read

Day 6

Jesus was all about carrying out the Father’s perfect will. Jesus said in John 6:38, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” Jesus said this several times during His earthly ministry. We read in Luke 4:38–41, “Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon’s home. Now Simon’s mothe...

Read

Day 7

We know Jesus is God, but when He walked here on earth, He was also 100% man. God had Luke record this in Luke 4:42–44, “When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them. 43 But He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to th...

Read