Luke 4:18-21

The modern concept of a prophet as someone who predicts the future is misleading. Biblical prophets didn’t always predict the future. Their primary mission was to bring the people back to God; they spoke the message of God for the people. The Bible gives examples of prophets who worked miracles, those who foretold future events, as well as those who solely preached spiritual renewal.

An early declaration from Moses gave the promise that a Prophet would come (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Paul writes that Christ is greater than all the prophets, being God in the Flesh, the final Revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1-3; see Acts 3:9-26: Hebrews 3:1-6). As Christians, we boldly confess that Jesus Christ is that Prophet. We read of His miracle-working power and His prophecies of events before their occurrence; and we have no trouble identifying Him as a Prophet. But do we ever consider His Message as a Prophet?

Christ’s words: “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21), make the claim that He is the Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The prophecy had at its core the One who would be God’s Prophet. It is of the utmost significance that our text verses use the word “preach” three times. Christ tells us that a great part of His earthly ministry included His preaching as He declared the Will of God.

What did the people think about the Message Christ preached? Far from a ‘beautiful sermon,’ Jesus Christ preached about the judgment to come. But His message was opposed by the religious leaders. They did not like being reproved for their religious pretense and hypocrisy. They did not like being exposed in their sins. They did not like being confronted for their wickedness of heart. And so they rejected the message of Christ.

God’s Word tells of His righteous indignation and wrath to be poured out on the wicked. God’s prophet has the duty to warn the wicked. This is what Christ preached. But the people did not like it and rejected the message of God. The wicked would rather hear a message that makes them feel good, than to hear the Truth of God’s Word. They would rather be accountable to no one.

The people’s rejection of the Prophet was so complete that they intended to cast Him off the bluff to His death. “But he passing through the midst of them went his way” (Luke 4:30). Those who should have readily accepted Him, instead rejected Him, although He spoke the Truth.

People still reject the Word of the Lord. And just like Christ’s hearers, they bring to themselves swift destruction.

Christ speaks today. He is the Prophet greater than Moses. Will you hear Him?