Luke 4:14-21 (NRSV)
Read Luke 4:14-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. Verse 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. Verse 16When 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, Verse 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: Verse 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, Verse 19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Verse 20And 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. Verse 21Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Devotion
Back in his hometown, Jesus the traveling preacher went to worship on the Sabbath as was his custom. Not surprising he should be the reader. Folks were pleased, until it was clear his reading from the prophet Isaiah was actually quite presuming. Is he really saying that he is the very fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy? The One "anointed to preach good news to the poor"—the One "sent to proclaim release to the captives?" "Who does he think he is?" they wondered. Himself a savior? "To bring recovery of sight to the blind?—set at liberty those who are oppressed?"
That day Jesus announced his mission as Savior. Even now he wants to draw you into his saving mission. What is God calling you to do, working for justice and caring for the poor, the blind, those imprisoned, and the oppressed—becoming involved in God’s mission right where you are?
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for being our Savior. In thankfulness, help us work for justice in your mission of caring for the poor, the blind, and the imprisoned right where we are. Amen.