As I read this passage, I can’t help but think about John 1:11-12, where it says,
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
In this passage, Jesus literally came to the people that he had grown up with all his life in the town of Nazareth. They knew him and his family well. He had undoubtedly visited this very synagogue hundreds of times.
And yet when he preached to them, they did not receive him. Instead, they rejected him and tried to kill him.
But Jesus makes clear here that to any who received him, they would receive the right to become children of God.
The passage in Isaiah he quotes (Isaiah 61) goes on to talk about God’s vengeance against Israel’s enemies and all those who would oppose him.
But Jesus pointed out that until that time, God’s grace extends to any who believe, even the Gentiles like the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian.
And to those who believe in him, he brings good news to those who are poor and in need.
This, of course, is true in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual sense. That to those who are poor in spirit, and realize their need for God, Jesus brings news of a new relationship with God based on grace.
He brings freedom and forgiveness to those enchained to their sins. To those chained to the hurts of their past, he also brings healing.
Jesus healed the physically blind, but also gives sight to those Satan has blinded spiritually, that they might see the light of the gospel, and the hope that Jesus brings.
Jesus releases those oppressed by Satan and his demons. Through his blood, he brings us not only victory, but overwhelming victory.
More than that, he proclaims the Lord’s favor here and now.
This was perhaps a reference to the time of Jubilee in the Old Testament, a time when slaves were set free, debts were forgiven, and land that was sold to pay off debts were returned to their original owners. In short, people were given a new start.
That’s what Jesus came to bring. A new start. A new relationship with God.
And as John said, it’s available to all who will put their faith in Christ.
How about you? Will you put your faith in him today?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 