Quit Chasing Carrots

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”



Luke 4:18–21



I saw a Meme the other day on social media that had a small dog with a stick run through the back of his cute little doggie sweater that had a dog treat dangling from a string at the end of the stick just over his head and beyond his reach. Try as he may there was no way he was going to catch that biscuit and the last picture showed him laying on the floor in defeat. It was cruel and many viewers didn’t hold back on posting their criticism. I wonder if Jesus had a picture like that in His mind of those gathered to hear Him? Men and women who were tired, some broken from chasing the proverbial carrot their whole lives only to come up empty and feeling defeated or even worse, shattered.

As Jesus read from the Scroll of Isaiah He chose what we have come to know as chapter 61. Remember when the Bible was written there were no chapter breaks or verses and yet Jesus knew exactly where He was going to read from. He wanted those there as well as you reading this today to know He came to minister and heal people who were hurting, people who were afflicted as well as those who were oppressed. In essence Jesus covered every person in that room as He read those few verses and His ministry includes you and me today too.

Let me ask you, do you feel defeated in life today? Has the enemy had a hold on you? Have you tried keeping the rules the best you can but you keep falling short? If so, you are far from alone. Jesus understands, it’s why He came and is why He chose Isaiah 61 to read from that day. But it didn’t end there. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus gives an invitation that I pray with all my heart you will take Him up on today so that you will never be tricked by the schemes of the wicked one into chasing carrots ever again...

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”



I LOVE YOU!