Luke 4:14-21
14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 “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,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
This coming Sunday we sit with Jesus in his hometown church listening to him describe his purpose. We think we already know. But do we? "Jesus came to die for our sins." Is that what he says? According to Luke, we just might not understand what he is saying to us. May his purpose "be fulfilled in our hearing."
Heavenly Father, unplug the ears to our hearts. Allow us to hear afresh Jesus' purpose, and so also, ours. Help us to lay aside our own agenda that we can fully appreciate your love for all. Amen
Pastor Jim
