“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19 KJV)
In the Spring of 1907, British explorer, Ernest Shackleton placed the following ad in a London newspaper: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success . . .” Shackleton’s objective was to explore the Antarctic. His ad was designed to challenge strong men to join him. It worked. The response to the ad was so overwhelming that many applicants were turned away.
Shackleton’s ad may be compared to the Lord’s challenge to his disciples in 33 A.D. Consider these challenges: “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mk. 16:15). Then, “. . . you will be my witnesses . . . to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Believers know it is a very hazardous expedition. Material wages are almost non-existent. The unbeliever responses plus the loneliness can be extremely cold. There are long periods when the journey is enveloped in such darkness that faith is all that sustains us. We are in constant danger of ridicule, persecutions, and death. We know that when we go, there is no guarantee of returning safely.
The Lord’s challenge is one we accept, however, because the Holy Spirit is upon us. With the challenge, Jesus also gave us a promise. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20). He has anointed us to proclaim his gospel to the poor. He has sent us to heal broken hearts. He has challenged us to deliver those who are captivated by sin’s addictions.
He has sent us to restore sight to those blinded by the cares of this life. He has anointed us to liberate those who have been wounded through schemes, betrayals, and injustices. He wants us to proclaim this as the year God will show favor to all those who come to him. And he has promised that he will be with us to the end of this great expedition.
Like Shackleton’s ad, there is a promise of reward to those who endure to the end. “If we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Tim. 2:12).
Dear Father, thank you for your anointing. Empower us to be faithful in achieving your purpose. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today as you pursue Christ’s purpose,