Chapter 4 of Luke’s gospel finds Jesus in the synagogue of His hometown, Nazareth. He’s recently survived a 40 day fast and temptation battle with Satan. He’s just beginning His public ministry and word about him is spreading as people are blown away by his teaching. We can imagine it’s a packed house on the Sabbath as people are trying to figure out what’s going on with this hometown, son of a carpenter. They sat in stunned silence—they were amazed that this teacher is the son of a local carpenter—and then Jesus took it one step further…
And then he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus is in essence was saying: I am the Messiah and this is what I came to do… I am here to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom to those who are oppressed.
Jesus is incredibly clear about His mission and identity. Regardless of how people tried to define or confine Him, He knew exactly who He was and what He was about. As a follower of Jesus, your identity and mission is linked to His. Your identity and mission follow those of Jesus.
What is your mission? What is your purpose?
Could you put who you are and what you are about in two to three sentences?
Would it line up with the mission of Jesus?