Hear The Vision of Jesus (Windows Media Player) Hear Other Messages Home
Hear The Vision of Jesus (Real Player)
Requires either Windows Media Player or Real Player
(How to Get Back Full Screen After Audio Starts)
The Vision of Jesus
Luke 3:21-22
It is of course presumptuous to assert that we can speak with absolute finality about the vision carried by Jesus Christ for his ministry. Still, a number of clues are given in the gospels that helps us see the vision that judges all visions.
- Jesus began his ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of Luke presents a picture of Jesus as the fulfillment of the expectation that goes all the way back to the story of Adam and Eve. Jesus was therefore, the fulfillment of prophecy and the sign of the new age of the Spirit.
When we read the Gospel of Luke we hear John the Baptist saying, “I baptize with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and fire.” (Luke 3:16). Jesus is the one who pours out the Spirit. “He has poured out this that you both see and hear.” (Acts 2:33).
Jesus was baptized with ordinary people, and as he “was praying, the heavens was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘you are my son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased’.” (Luke 3:21-22)
Jesus’ first sermon in Nazareth set forth a vision that was to guide his earthly ministry.
He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written:
“The Sprit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives. And recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16b-21).
In keeping with the whole tenor of his ministry, Jesus’ answer looks beyond a narrow, self-serving vision to the future of the church in the power of the Spirit.
Luke wanted his readers to see how Jesus responded to the leper plea. “Lord, if you chose, you can make me clean.” Jesus responded immediately, “I do choose, Be made clean.” (Luke 5:12-13). The rest of the Gospel of Luke gives us pictures of how Jesus carried out this vision in his ministry. In Jesus’ vision, people can see themselves being transformed.
The poor
The outcast
The woman with the flow of blood
The Roman officials slave healed
The blind beggar named Bartimaeus healed
The Tax Collector gave back to those four fold whom he had defrauded
The full scope of Jesus’ vision of the kingdom is seen only when we read the Gospels and the Book of Acts together. The early Christians understood that Jesus wanted them to see the continuation of his ministry in the reality and development of theirs. Jesus promised the outpouring of the Spirit in order to create the church, in order for the church to witness to him, in order for the church to become a sign of the kingdom.
By telling and retelling the Gospels, the church has been continually challenged and energized by the power of Jesus’ vision. In every generation, the church has listened and understood that Jesus’ vision is larger than once imagined.
Jesus’ vision of release to the captives – good news to the poor, and healing and forgiveness to restore broken relationships with God and between people is given to the Spirit – empowered church.
This is the vision Peter announced on Pentecost – A new day of salvation, healing, deliverance, peace, and restoration.
The vision Paul saw for the future of God’s people throughout the world: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Such a vision must be shared.
|
Windows Media Player should already be on your computer. A browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer that supports Windows Media Player is also required. Windows Media Player is used on many sites in addition to this one. If you do not have Windows Media Player or you would like to update to a later version, click Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player 10 Series for use with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Windows XP operating system has a total file size of 11.638 MB and downloading it over a 56.6 K modem takes about 28 minutes. Versions of the Windows Media Player for other operating systems and browsers are available at Windows Media Player. |
How to Get Back Full Screen After Audio Starts:
If no instructions, click refresh icon in bar at top of screen.
