The Lord's Favor Has Come
Grace freely given, salvation revealed
SCRIPTURE:
Luke 4:18-19 NLT - "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD's favor has come."
OBSERVATION:
Luke chapter 4 marks the start of Jesus’ ministry. After the 40-day temptation in the wilderness, Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. As was His habit, He went to the synagogue and was asked to read from the scroll of Isaiah, which described the work of the Messiah. With no other explanation, Jesus said, “Today this has been fulfilled.”
What a stir this surely caused. What excitement and joy probably filled the synagogue — or so we might assume. Instead, disbelief filled the room:
Luke 4:22 NLT - Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. "How can this be?" they asked. "Isn't this Joseph's son?"
Before we doubt others, we should ask ourselves: how often do we treat God’s Word the same way? Do we assume His promises are for others but not us? Do we think, “I’m not worthy enough,” or “I don’t really need this”?
Like those in Nazareth, we can forget who Jesus truly is and what He came to do. But His mission never changed. The same grace proclaimed then is still offered today:
“The time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
The phrase “the Lord’s favor” (KJV: “the acceptable year of the Lord”) refers to that most blessed time when salvation and God’s free grace overflow.
Paul described it like this:
Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT - But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)
Grace—God’s unearned favor—came in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION:
Grace is a gift. It cannot be earned, deserved, or reserved for a select few. It is freely given to everyone who is willing to accept it.
The time of the Lord’s favor has come.
Jesus still:
Even John the Baptist doubted and asked Jesus if He really was the Messiah. Jesus responded with proof:
Luke 7:22 NLT - …"Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard--the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.
The Lord’s favor has come—and it remains. The question is, will we come to Him and receive it?
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for Your grace. Thank You that Your mission remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. May I never forget that Your grace is accessible, powerful, and wonderful. Even when the world is in chaos, I can rest confidently in Your favor.
Luke 4:18-19 NLT - "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD's favor has come."
OBSERVATION:
Luke chapter 4 marks the start of Jesus’ ministry. After the 40-day temptation in the wilderness, Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. As was His habit, He went to the synagogue and was asked to read from the scroll of Isaiah, which described the work of the Messiah. With no other explanation, Jesus said, “Today this has been fulfilled.”
What a stir this surely caused. What excitement and joy probably filled the synagogue — or so we might assume. Instead, disbelief filled the room:
Luke 4:22 NLT - Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. "How can this be?" they asked. "Isn't this Joseph's son?"
Before we doubt others, we should ask ourselves: how often do we treat God’s Word the same way? Do we assume His promises are for others but not us? Do we think, “I’m not worthy enough,” or “I don’t really need this”?
Like those in Nazareth, we can forget who Jesus truly is and what He came to do. But His mission never changed. The same grace proclaimed then is still offered today:
“The time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
The phrase “the Lord’s favor” (KJV: “the acceptable year of the Lord”) refers to that most blessed time when salvation and God’s free grace overflow.
Paul described it like this:
Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT - But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)
Grace—God’s unearned favor—came in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION:
Grace is a gift. It cannot be earned, deserved, or reserved for a select few. It is freely given to everyone who is willing to accept it.
The time of the Lord’s favor has come.
Jesus still:
- Brings good news to the poor in spirit.
- Releases the captives.
- Opens the eyes of the blind.
- Sets the oppressed free.
Even John the Baptist doubted and asked Jesus if He really was the Messiah. Jesus responded with proof:
Luke 7:22 NLT - …"Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard--the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.
The Lord’s favor has come—and it remains. The question is, will we come to Him and receive it?
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for Your grace. Thank You that Your mission remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. May I never forget that Your grace is accessible, powerful, and wonderful. Even when the world is in chaos, I can rest confidently in Your favor.
God’s grace has come—it is here for you today.
Posted in 03 - Luke
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Words Spoken at the Right TimeHe Will SaveShining as the StarSOAPRepentance: It’s a Good ThingDawning of a New LifePerfect Not PerfectionThe Cure for AnxietyThe Way We Think About and Treat OthersRight AwayTax Collectors and SinnersChoosing Christ Above AllThe Yoke of LearningHope In His NameWhere Did He Learn ThisImmediatelyFrom the HeartOn This RockMustard Seed FaithTrue HumilityMission ImpossibleMoved with Compassion
February
Change Your MindInvitationDrop the MaskGood News ProclaimedDid or Did NotYour Accent Gives You AwayEli, Eli, Lama SabachthaniThe EndIf You Are WillingSins Are ForgivenCrazy!Silence! Be Still!Saw and Heard – Jesus Something BlessedEphphathaRight PerspectiveSalt and PeaceServe Not ServedRemoving DifficultiesAbundance vs Poverty