It is worth taking a close look at the incident in the synagogue when Jesus read from Isaiah 61 and announced His ministry. Luke reports it as follows: “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to PREACH GOOD NEWS to the poor. He has sent Me to HEAL the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound…” (Isa 61:1) Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. …then Jesus announced, “TODAY this Scripture is FULFILLED in your hearing” (Luke 4:18-21).
After Jesus had completed His work on the cross and had given His precious blood for the sins of the world; after He had broken the power of sin, defeating the devil and his powers of darkness; after His triumphant resurrection, and immediately before His ascension, His disciples excitedly asked: “Lord, are You at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus said: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. (But here is what we are to do) But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My WITNESSES (martus: to declare positively) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:6-8).
SO, HERE IS WHAT WE ARE TO DO, WE ARE GIVEN POWER SO THAT EVERY WHERE WE GO, WE DECLARE THE AUTHENTICITY OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.
-Bill Stockham