Blind, Crippled and Crazy!

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…”  Luke 4:18

Jesus said these words in His hometown synagogue.  He’s saying these same words to you today.  He’s saying them to me.

The reality is the people who gathered in that synagogue every Sabbath were blind, bound, heartbroken and in need of the Savior.  Why else would Jesus come in there to announce His mission “in their hearing (Luke 4:21)?”  What He offered them and us is beyond rescue from a burning hell, although God knows I’m grateful for that.  He offers deliverance from hell on earth.  He came inside that synagogue and He comes inside His Church to tell us there’s more “to church” than coming to clock in, be counted present. Freedom and wholeness are available and Jesus offers it.  Every day.

I don’t know about you, but I need Jesus to open my eyes to things I’m blind to.  Jesus help me see all You did for me at the cross, the blessings you heap on me daily, and the ways You’re at work in my life and my family.

I need to recognize the crippling beliefs that leave me limping.  Jesus, search my thoughts and show me where I’m believing wrong about You and Your thoughts toward me, so I can “run and not be weary, walk and not faint.”

I need to face my heartaches, what makes me crazy with grief.  They’ve cost me more than they’re worth.  Jesus, help me believe my heartaches have always hurt You more.  Help me give them all to You so I can receive “beauty for those ashes.”

Those words Jesus spoke in that synagogue, full of grace and truth, lovingly come against pretense and futility.  If you’re walking with Jesus, there’s no place for wearing masks or self-reliance.  He is salvation. *  Jesus wants to do what He does best: save you, especially from yourself. The question is…Will you let Him?

*Jesus – His name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’
salvation (soteria) – 1. deliverance, preservation, safety, 2. from hell to eternal life with God