Mission Possible

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

In this passage Jesus declares his purpose, it serves as a powerful mission statement. It’s not some vague idea; it's a solid, "this is what I'm doing" kind of statement. He clearly outlines his work: preaching good news to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, freeing captives, giving sight to the blind, and releasing the oppressed. This isn't just talk; it's a direct description of his actions. He also specifies who he's helping: the poor, the brokenhearted, the blind, and those who are suffering.  

A mission statement, at its core, is a simple, straightforward declaration of what an individual or organization does. It’s not about future goals or wishes; it’s about the present reality. Jesus's words fit this perfectly. He's not saying, "I hope to do these things someday." He’s saying, "This is why I am here, right now.”  

The simplicity and directness of Jesus's mission statement are striking. It leaves little room for misinterpretation. And honestly, it makes you wonder if that mission has an expiration date. If Jesus came to do these things then, doesn’t that mean someone should be doing them now? It’s hard to believe that the needs of the poor, the brokenhearted, and the oppressed have disappeared. Perhaps, the challenge is to recognize that Jesus's mission, his "this is what I do," is a call to action for us too.