Gospel Reflections #9: The Gospel for the Poor and the Captives!

Luke 4:18 For the Lord anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives. The Lord sent me to preach the gospel to the captives.

These are the words that Jesus read from a portion of Isaiah in the synagogue when he returned to his hometown. The "poor" are us. I am not worthy to be a Christian, I have not grown at all, I am worthless, and I have lost hope.

Jesus, with a lot of effort, looks not at good Christians, but at those of us with poor hearts!

And what kind of person is a "captive"? Isn't it someone who has received a new heart, but is still greatly influenced by the old heart and is stuck in its values and rules?

Jesus is freeing us from such a mind, a mind that has been held back by every single thing we have taken for granted until now, the precious unconditional love for us. So, how can he do that for us?

All we have to do is realize and admit that we are poor and trapped, run to Jesus, tell Him the truth, and let Him rest beside us!

You can't make it up with anything else! The more we learn about who God is, the more we can honestly and clearly admit our own poverty!

And then dash to Jesus! Jesus is waiting with open arms to let us experience this!

Once you experience this, you will be addicted to Jesus' healing touch. :) Please give it a try!

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that fills her heart