Luke 4: 14-21
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
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. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“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 of the prisoners and recovery off sight of the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
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, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
A Thought
Jesus has left the wilderness after the devil had tried unsuccessfully to tempt him to fall down and to worship him. Now Jesus begins his public ministry empowered by the Spirit. Jesus reads the prophetic words from Isaiah and declares that this scripture is fulfilled because he is the one that is anointed to preach and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Today we are to continue the work that Jesus began: to be anointed to preach the good news to all imprisoned by the devil that their eyes may be opened that they may be set free in Christ.
Our Prayer
Father help us to be Christ in the world today that others may respond to your love through us and be set free from sin. Thank you for the Spirit that will empower us when we ask. Help to see the needs of others. Help us to give to others what you have given to each of us. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.
