17* And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18* 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, (Luke 4: 17-18)
In Luke chapter 4, Jesus declares His mission in the earth–He declares His ministry–His ministry for that day and age–and for today as well.
Heb 13:8 * Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Jesus spoke those words 2,000 years ago, and He lived out those words in His ministry which is recorded in the Bible. He preached the Gospel–He healed the sick–He brought deliverance to those who had need–He fed the poor—and He did one more thing–He made apostles. “to set at liberty them that are bruised, “The words in this verse which are translated in English as “set at liberty” are the Greek words “apostello” and freedom. When this word refers to individuals it is the Greek “apostellos” which the translators chose to define as “apostles”. The meaning of this word is to send or to release–in this case, it refers to the release of a person to serve God. The releasing of apostles was quite obviously central to the ministry of Jesus. Jesus went to every part of Israel and released individuals and whole groups of people to serve God–to spread the Gospel–heal the sick and bring deliverance–to do His same ministry and carry it on in the earth after He was gone.
It is not often recognized or taught that Jesus released so many to serve God. We read about the “official” apostles but what we don’t realize is that this word “apostello” is used many many times in the New Testament–very often translated as the simple word “sent”. We recognize that there were 12 numbered apostles–but there were also 70 that were numbered at a different time in Jesus ministry. But also, for example, when we read of the feeding of the 5,000–Jesus spoke of “sending away” the crowds. He was not just telling the people to “go home–the show is over”–the Greek used here is “apoulo” a root of the word apostello–which also means to release. Releasing those who had been healed and delivered and fed and preached the Gospel was central to Jesus ministry. In the book of John, He baptized the blind man into the “pool of Siloam” (Siloam in Greek is “apostello”)–just exactly what He said He would do in Luke 4–“……and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised….”
Jesus releases the demoniac of the Gadarenes,(Mark 5) telling him simply to go and tell what great thing God has done for him–and the Bible records that this formerly demon possessed mangoes to 10 cities and preaches about Jesus. The Gentile woman at the well is released also by Jesus. Again we see the simple order of His ministry–explain the Gospel–heal and deliver—and the final step is to release the person to freely serve God–now that they are saved–healed and delivered. And if we believe that Jesus only did these things during His life on the earth before His resurrection–consider the conversion of Saul (Paul)–Saul’s’ conversion follows exactly the same pattern–He (the enemy of the church) meets Jesus–is immediately saved (he calls Jesus “Lord” when he sees Him)–Saul is then healed of his blindness –by Ananias–a simple disciple at Damascus–he is immediately baptized and receives the Holy Spirit–and the Bible records–
19* And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20* And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 9:19-20) Again–the very same pattern of Jesus’ ministry–salvation–healing–release to serve God freely. Heb 13:8* Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. The fact is that Jesus is doing His same ministry today as well. When someone meets Jesus today–by faith–they receive the free gift of salvation–they are often healed and delivered (how many have been delivered from drugs and alcohol at the moment of conversion!)—and whether we realize it or not, they are released by Jesus to freely serve God. to tell others about what great things the Lord has done for them–to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others—-