January 24th - Reflection

Reading
Third Sunday After Epiphany
Luke 4:14-21 (NRSV)
Jesus reads the prophet Isaiah

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

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, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
'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,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

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. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Reflection
I love this passage. First it reminds me of how Luther teaches us to read the Old Testament. We are to read the Old Testament through the lenses of Christ. In the OT we can see Christ all over the place. If we but read the Word of the OT with Christ in mind, we will see His presence throughout all time.

Second, I can't help but to get a kick out of how Jesus springs this concept on the people. He stands up with a passage that is about Himself, written years ago, reads it and sits down. Nothing said, just say the Word and sit down! So they all look at him. And it's like "What! What's the matter with you? That passage was about Me and is being fulfilled before your eyes." (Of course that's just my take on the words with a little made up going into it for fun) ---

And you know what! The same goes for you and me today. Jesus is here and present in our lives. He comes to the door day after day. In fact, He just came in this reading to you and to me. In the Word He places with us daily, the scripture is being fulfilled. So you may as well get used to Him. He's here to stay, in your life, in my life and in the lives of those around us. Day after day.

What! What's the matter with you? That passage is about Jesus and is being fulfilled before your eyes! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus, come! And thanks for coming! ---Amen