Broken.

“Broken” is being used for this series to describe that we are broken creatures, the broken result of falling from our original state of perfection in the Garden of Eden. God created us in perfection but our ancient mother and father (Adam and Eve) chose an alternate lifestyle from the perfect lifestyle that God had set up for us.

In Luke chapter four, we see Jesus reading the Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor” (Luke 4:18-19).

Luke 4 and Isaiah both announce that the Messiah, led by the Spirit of the Lord, is God’s plan for taking broken people and restoring them, healing them, and setting them free. In our first real life example for this sermon series, Jesus releases a man from the dreadful darkness of demon possession.

This is also in Luke 4: “And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out” (Luke 4:31-36)!

Jesus’ words possess authority. This is an interesting statement. It reflects what we see at creation when God speaks and the authority and power of His Word creates. Jesus is this same God and all His Words are packed with that same creative power and authority. This gives us greater and greater confidence as we digest each Word of God.

To fulfill the words of Isaiah, Jesus uses His authoritative word to send this demon packing. “Be silent and come out of him!” The demon had no choice in the matter. When God speaks, action is the result. Jesus spoke and the demon HAD to leave.

Now we take daily, the authoritative Words of Jesus into our hearts and minds. Why? Because we are also part of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus the Messiah. We are the brokenhearted who need restoration. We find ourselves captive to sinful desires and the sinful whims of the world around us. Jesus comes in to daily fulfill Isaiah’s promise. Thank you, Jesus!