When Jesus stood up to read the passage from Isaiah (61:1-2) that we read in Luke 4:18-19, he did something that most of us miss if we aren’t familiar with the Isaiah text beyond what Luke mentions.
Jesus stops in mid-sentence (verse) to end his reading.
The Isaiah passage that Jesus read is:
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. — Isa 61:1–2 (NRSV)
The Hebrew text is more personal; it refers to God by name rather than by his job title:
“Spirit of the Lord Yahweh …. Yahweh has anointed me … Yahweh’s favor.”
All three persons of the Trinity are represented in Jesus’ declaration. Yahweh, the Spirit, and me. The “me” to whom Isaiah refers is the Messiah. When Jesus declares the prophecy fulfilled in their hearing, he is declaring himself to be the Messiah.
Jesus stops reading the Isaiah passage before the rest of the Messiah’s actions are foretold. He stops at a comma, not a period.
…and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of (Yahweh), to display his glory. — Isa 61:1–3
In his first appearance, the Messiah did the things mentioned in verses 1-2a. By stopping at the word favor, he indicated the second part of his mission will occur at a later time. During this second appearance, the Messiah will do the things described in verses 2b-3. When Jesus returns, he will judge unbelievers as shown in Micah 5:15 —
And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey.
and Revelation 19:15-20 —
From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.” … — Rev 19:15–16
The people were somewhat skeptical, to put it mildly, about Jesus being the promised leader who in their minds was going to vanquish their Roman oppressors; after all, they believed that since the Messiah was to come from the line of King David, so of course he would be someone of royal or at least noble rank. They had forgotten King David’s own start as an unknown shepherd boy.
Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” 24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. — Luke 4:21–24
So, we see that Jesus expected this expression of doubt, and wasn’t surprised or intimidated by it. His response really got the rabble roused though.
But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. — Luke 4:21–30
It seems the people were OK with Jesus being their Messiah until he started talking about Yahweh offering Gentile dogs the same promise that he offered the Israelites. Turns out they were pretty thin-skinned about that whole “you are a stiff-necked people” label that Yahweh kept hitting them with during the exodus, wilderness wandering, and exiles.
When Jesus reminded them that their willful disobedience always brought bad results for them, and that Yahweh welcomed oreigners
who were willing to obey him, they tried to kill him. That their attempt failed is described by Luke in a manner that can only be considered miraculous. Throughout the rest of Jesus’ ministry that theme would become frequent: Jesus goes to the Jews, they reject him. He goes to the Gentiles and tells them they are welcome in God’s Kingdom, and Jewish leaders plot to kill him.
But Jesus is not killed until his mission is complete. And only by his permission according to the Father’s plan. Actually, Jesus is never killed. He allowed himself to die. Like a soldier who is clearly safe from a grenade explosion that would kill his buddies diving on that grenade to save them by sacrificing himself, Jesus laid down his life for those who believe in
him.
And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” — John 10:15–18
So, the Jews did not kill Jesus; the centuries of Christian torture, murder, and banishment of Jews for their role as “Christ killers” was horrific and wrong. The Romans didn’t kill him either (although somehow the Italians went unscathed for their participation).
Jesus came to die. His ministry wasn’t cut short. His announcement of his purpose in the synagogue showed the rejection of a sinful world to his offer of salvation. But it clarified his role as the promised Christ to those who would believe in him.
Jesus’ death on the cross was the crowning achievement of his ministry. The Cross of Christ is what fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy, and enables us to joyfully await his return. Jesus went to the cross willingly. And because he went there, salvation is here.
Your Brother in Christ,
Fr. Austin