Scripture: Luke 4:16
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read.
Thought for the Day: As I reminded folks in my devotional yesterday, Jesus was a Jew. And notice how in this verse, Jesus went to the synagogue on the Sabbath as “he normally did…” This should not have been a surprise visit, except that people might not have seen Jesus for a while. He’d been out doing things for at least a couple of months, maybe longer. Though reading in the synagogue was probably not unusual for Jesus. In Luke 2, we read how Jesus (age 12) went to the Temple in Jerusalem and was engaging the teachers who were there. The synagogue was more of a community center and weekly worship space. The Temple in Jerusalem was, on the other hand, visited only a few times each year, and usually on the High Holy Days. As Luke tells it, Jesus was very comfortable in these settings. But here, in his first appearance after his baptism, Jesus prepares to make a bold statement as he stands to read from the Prophet Isaiah. This must have been a turning point for many. The last time they had seen him at the synagogue, Jesus was that carpenter’s kid. But on this day, I imagine a different feeling. Maybe Jesus exuded some confidence not previously seen. No one can say for sure, but I imagine this moment was a bit of a shocker to most of those who had gathered there on a regular basis.
Prayer: Let me see Jesus as he was. Let me see Jesus as others might have seen him. Let me see Jesus, O Lord, as you intended him to be seen. I ask this in your most holy name. Amen.
THIS SUNDAY
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…
