The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me

      Luke 4:18 is a profound declaration made by Jesus at the beginning of His public ministry. These words are a direct reference to Isaiah 61:1-2, which prophesied the coming of the Messiah and His mission to bring hope, healing, and freedom. When Jesus spoke these words in the synagogue in Nazareth, He was proclaiming that He was the fulfillment of this prophecy.

      Jesus had just returned to Galilee, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit after His baptism by John the Baptist and 40 days of fasting in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-14). He entered the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth, where He was handed the scroll of Isaiah. As He read from Isaiah 61, He made a bold statement: "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21)

      This declaration shocked the people because Jesus was claiming to be the anointed one—the Messiah. However, many in Nazareth rejected Him because they saw Him as just the son of Joseph, a carpenter.

"The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me"

      This phrase emphasizes the divine empowerment of Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord would come upon prophets, priests, and kings to enable them to fulfill their God-given tasks. For example:

● Moses led Israel with God’s Spirit upon him (Numbers 11:25).

● David was anointed king, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him (1 Samuel 16:13).

● Isaiah spoke under the power of the Spirit (Isaiah 61:1).

      Jesus, as the Son of God, was uniquely filled with the Holy Spirit. His baptism in the Jordan River (Luke 3:22) was a visible confirmation of this anointing, as the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove.

 "Because He Has Anointed Me"

      Anointing in the Bible symbolized being set apart for a divine purpose. Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign of God’s calling (1 Samuel 10:1, Exodus 30:30). But Jesus was anointed not with oil, but with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38), showing that His mission was divinely appointed.

 The Mission of Jesus (Luke 4:18-19)

      Jesus outlines five aspects of His ministry:

1. Preaching the Gospel to the Poor – Jesus came to bring the good news to those who were spiritually and materially poor. He invited them into the Kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3).

2. Healing the Brokenhearted – He brought comfort and restoration to those suffering emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

3. Proclaiming Liberty to the Captives – Jesus freed people from sin, oppression, and the power of the enemy.

4. Recovery of Sight to the Blind – He physically healed the blind (John 9:1-7) and brought spiritual sight to those lost in darkness.

5. Setting at Liberty Those Who Are Oppressed – He delivered people from the bondage of sin and demonic oppression.

Application for Us Today

      Jesus’ mission did not end with His time on earth. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are also anointed to carry on His work:

● We are called to share the gospel. Just as Jesus was anointed to preach, we too are called to be His witnesses (Matthew 28:19-20).

● We bring healing and comfort to others. The church is a place of restoration for the brokenhearted.

● We proclaim freedom from sin through Christ. True liberty comes through Jesus, who breaks the chains of addiction, guilt, and shame.

● We open spiritual eyes through discipleship. Teaching and guiding others in faith helps them see God’s truth.

      Jesus’ declaration in Luke 4:18 was not just a statement but a powerful proclamation of His identity and purpose. He was the anointed one, filled with the Holy Spirit, sent to bring salvation and restoration to the world. Today, this mission continues through His followers. The same Spirit that was upon Jesus is now upon all who believe in Him, empowering them to spread His message of hope and freedom.

      How does this verse inspire you in your faith journey?