The Gospel represents Jesus first teaching and as David Lose writes his "inauguaral address" which makes this scene very important to understanding who Jesus is and what he is up to. It indicates his key vision. As Lose writes "A century and a half earlier, President Abraham Lincoln used his second inaugural address to do something no President had ever done before – speak in critical terms of the nation – in order to name the evil of slavery, the toll it had exacted in human flesh and warfare, and the need to stay the course and resolve both the war and its cause."
"It is an announcement of his mission. It is a description of the kingdom of God. It is a promise of God’s aid and presence. And all of this and more is summarized by the words good news: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’"
We tend to say that doesn’t apply to us. After we are fed and don’t have the chains around us. However, we live insecure lives that make us feel needy.
"But when we can admit that need, when we can be honest about our deep hurts, fears, and longings, three things happen. First, we feel an immense freedom simply from admitting the truth. Bad news – when it’s true – is still better than a pretty lie. Second, we can receive the help and comfort that God offers – release, sight, healing, freedom, and more. Third, we realize we don’t simply receive help and comfort, but we are also invited to offer it to others. We are invited, that is, not just to hear and receive good news, but to be it."