Global GospelSample

Today This Scripture Is Fulfilled

BY EUGENIO RESTREPO

“He stood up to read...‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free....’ Then he began by saying to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’” (Luke 4:16–21)

Jesus stood in the synagogue and read from the prophet Isaiah. Then, with power and clarity, he declared that these promises of hope, healing, and freedom were being fulfilled in him, in that very moment.

What if we believed the same could be said today? This Scripture is not just a declaration from the past, but a living, breathing mission that is still unfolding.

In rural poor villages where literacy is rare, global personnel and local leaders around the world teach people to read using Scripture. For some, it is the first book they have ever read. And what a first book it is—one that tells them they are loved, valued, and chosen.

I have had the profound privilege of teaching pastoral care and counseling at Stateville Correctional Center through North Park Theological Seminary’s School of Restorative Arts. This innovative program offers a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Restorative Arts to both free and incarcerated students. Together, they foster a learning community grounded in mutual respect and transformation. The program is a direct expression of Jesus's charge to “proclaim freedom for the prisoners” (Luke 4:18), equipping individuals with the tools and theological foundation to lead ministries of restoration and hope. The curriculum addresses trauma-informed care, race relations, nonviolent communication, conflict transformation, restorative practices, and transformative justice. Alongside deep study in the Bible, theology, and history, the program opens hearts and minds to the liberating power of the gospel, even within the most confined spaces.

In another corner of the world, the Evangelical Covenant Church is working through global personnel in refugee communities across Europe and the Middle East, and local Christian leaders are welcoming displaced families with open arms. They offer food, shelter, and legal aid, but even more, they offer presence. One Syrian refugee, once silenced by trauma, now leads a Bible study for other refugees, finding her voice and healing through Scripture. Her story echoes “recovery of sight for the blind”—not just literal vision, but the ability to see one’s worth, identity, and calling again.

In urban centers around the world, churches are becoming hubs of transformation. A team of Covenant leaders in Oaxaca, Mexico, runs a microloan initiative for single mothers, helping them launch small businesses. With each loan, dignity is restored. With each repayment, hope grows. With each prayer spoken, the oppressed are set free.

Luke 4 is not just about declaration; it is about how his followers live out his words today. Each act of justice, mercy, teaching, and healing is a continuation of the same mission Jesus claimed that day in Nazareth.

Reflection Question

Which part of Luke 4:18–19 resonates most with the calling God has placed on your life?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for fulfilling this Scripture, not only in that synagogue long ago, but here and now, through your Spirit in us. Open our eyes to see where you are at work. Give us the courage to join you in proclaiming good news, setting captives free, and lifting up the oppressed. May we be living echoes of your mission today. Amen.