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
While teaching in the synagogue, Christ echoed Isaiah’s words (58:6 and 61:1-2) and placed worship in the context of service. If we desire God to hear our prayers, we must hear and respond to the cries of all people who are in need—people who are poor, captive, disabled and oppressed (v. 18). Religious rituals without service will not bring us into right relationship with God or our neighbors. Unity requires that we take action to end the devastation of inequality, discrimination and violence. We are called to live out “the year of the Lord’s favor” (v. 19) or Jubilee. This includes restorative social and economic justice marked by liberation, reclamation of assets, debt cancellation and simple living off the land’s natural produce (Leviticus 25:10-12). As we pray for unity, we must work for justice.
Prayer
God of Justice, empower us to move beyond empty words of worship to courageous actions that achieve equality and unity throughout the world. Amen.