This entire week has all been about the Mission of God. It's an old mission, one set in motion in the Garden of Eden and while sidetracked along the way, it has never lost its power or veracity. In today's passage, this mission literally stands up in the synagogue and announces itself in person.

I love the way Jesus uses the Old Testament scriptures to simultaneously define His mission and to reveal Himself as its fulfillment. He sucks all the air from the Pharisaical room when he says "Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled." In other words, what God had promised for many generations was no longer in need of anticipation. It had arrived. This wasn't on anyone's bingo card that day.

This is an incredibly important passage for anyone who seeks to follow the Way of Jesus. God's mission in the world isn't an abstract one full of warm fuzzy feelings or ethereal hopes and dreams. It is embodied in flesh and blood in the man Jesus. He didn't come to explain the Kingdom of God, He brought it near. We are no longer hoping for restoration, it has been initiated. The world into which He descended was (and is) full of oppression, bondage, blindness, and sorrow. His announcement declares the long-awaited reversal is afoot.

The people of God will no longer have need to admire the mission from a distance. We can follow Jesus into it. The pathway of following Jesus is the path towards the broken things, not away from them. His way proclaims mercy, literation, healing, and presence. The people of God existed (then as now) to bring about global blessing and redemption. Here, Jesus, the faithful Messiah, is a clear and present picture of what that looks like in full bloom.

Once again, as we've discussed before, this passage prevents us from shrinking this cosmic mission down to platform-building, branding, or structured religious performance. Our mission looks like Him. It sounds like Good News and it does so as it moves towards the poor in body and spirit, towards the captive, and towards the wounded. The Authority of Heaven has burst on the scene and shattered the vanity of Babel. What rebellion had shattered is now being restored.

We haven't been asked whether or not we agree with the mission, we've only been invited to join it; to follow the way of the One who fulfills and embodies it.

Take some times to reflect on your place and part in the Kingdom Mission of Jesus. Where could Jesus be calling you to embody the good news right now in your every day life?

If we are living this mission instead of watching it play out, how might that change the way you live your life this coming week?

Father, I'm so thankful for Jesus fulfilling your promise of redemption and restoration. Teach me to walk in your way and give me strength to do it faithfully. Help me to see and respond to the hurting around, to be faithful in Truth, and be joyfully willing to carry the Good News of Jesus to real places of need. Amen.