01.26.12 “The ministry of Jesus begins”
Scripture Reading: Luke 4:14-21
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
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Reflection Questions
In all four gospels, John the Baptist “prepares the way” for the coming of Jesus. In Luke 3, Jesus is baptized by John. And in the opening verses of chapter 4, Jesus enters the desert, where according to verse 2, “for 40 days he was tempted by the devil.” In Luke’s Gospel, the ministry of Jesus officially begins in the 14th verse of chapter 4. Returning to his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus read these words from the prophet Isaiah and proclaimed, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
- In the last two days of our reading, we have looked at the words of the prophets and the challenge they presented to the nation of Israel. Both Micah and Jeremiah highlighted God’s allegiance to justice, mercy, righteousness and humility. How do you see that reflected in the way Jesus describes the beginning of his own ministry?
Weekly Prayer
Lord, we live in your world. Your word reminds us that you have called us to be “the light” in this world and “the salt of the earth.” In spite of our differences and in the midst of our struggles, help us to be living witnesses of your grace and love. We pray today, Lord, for your kingdom to come into our lives that we may be used to bring your kingdom into the world. AMEN.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.