Who Is He?

by Heather Tietz

The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Luke 4:17-19

Perhaps the people of Jesus’ hometown wondered about Joseph’s boy. Wasn’t He just the son of a carpenter? The eldest of several brothers and sisters? Hadn’t He grown up in this humble town too? Yet… they’d heard stories. Who was Jesus really?

It was the Sabbath. The pious citizens of Nazareth gathered in the synagogue ready to pray and discuss the scriptures as they did every week. Seven readers would have been called to read that day. Today, Jesus, was given a turn. Today, Jesus, would satisfy their pondering.

The scroll of Isaiah was handed to Him. He opened it, and in two sentences, revealed who He really was.

“God’s Spirit is in Me,“ He said. “I am at work fulfilling a job for the Almighty Himself. I am here to encourage those rejected by society. I have come to mend broken hearts and to lead those enslaved in their spirits, to freedom. I have come to not only heal blindness, but open eyes to see what God sees. I have come to declare that though you’ve been rejected, broken and blind, total forgiveness is finally available.” Jesus told them, “I am the Savior. I have come to save.”

He still is. He is friend, healer, defender, sight-giver and forgiver.

What is He saving you from today?