Scripture Text (NRSV)
Luke 4:14-21
4:14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to
Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding
country.
4:15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by
everyone.
4:16 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,
4:17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He
unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
4:18 "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,
4:19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
4:20 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.
4:21 Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been
fulfilled in your hearing."
Comments:
Three years ago I preached on this passage in regarding to worship -
wow, I couldn't believe it was that fast. And now, as I was meditating
on this passage again, I just want to experience what Jesus had
experienced: reading the sacred text, and see yourself in there. Not
only just as a corrective mirror as described in James, but also as a
"crystal ball" type of prescription for the forwarding journey.
I am still wondering why the "Purpose Driven Life" was a big hit to
many people. Is it because we are so lost now a day, that we don't
have a sense of direction for our life journey any more? And were the
reason we are so lost today because we are neglecting the Word of God
so much, that we can no longer digest the Word for ourselves, but have
to rely on secondary sources of books and commentary, instead the
primary Scripture?
Honestly, can I myself receive insights for my life and my ministry
directly from the Word as Jesus did here? He read the text, meditated
and studied it, and came to the conclusion that He was to fulfilled
it. Can I hear the voice of God for me, for the particulars of my life
from the Word? Sadly, I must admit that most of the time, I hear the
voice of God through others, and through circumstances; because the
discipline of discerning the Word of God for my own life was not a
primary focus.
Oh God, help me to deepen my life in Your Word, to experience your
Word for myself and not for my preaching or ministry!
Secondary note on being filled with the Spirit (which we came across
before as a possibility of "second blessing"). It's important to
recognize that according to Jesus, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because ... [ministry/serving reasons]". The implication is this: the
purpose that you are being filled, is so that you can overflow, and
not for possessing a better deal than everyone else...
Coho, Midway City
Dear Coho,
You wrote, "He read the text, meditated and studied it, and came to
the conclusion that He was to fulfilled it."
Actually, he unrolled the scroll and found the place ... it took no
ruminating on Jesus' part -- it was not coincidence, it was
intentional. He took it and unrolled it to the place, then stated that
the scripture was fulfilled that day in their presence.
I may be way off base here, but my bet is that you may be being too
hard on yourself. You likely do receive insights directly from
scripture for both your life and your ministry. But I am also a firm
believer in God working through other people, especially through the
community of faith -- so, I wouldn't discount those sources.
It may very well be that you need to spend more personal one-on-one
time with scripture in prayer and discernment. And there are probably
a lot more of us that need to be more intentional in our devotions and
our actions, rather than just going with the flow. But I believe that
God's voice to us comes from many places and many sources, best of all
scripture and prayer, but we need to be open to the workings of the
Spirit.
All of that being said, I hear your cry for wanting to deepen your
life in the Word and experience it for yourself. I will hold you in my
prayers that the way is open for you. It is very easy for those of us
who do this preaching thing on a regular basis to find ourselves
reading and studying only to preach and no longer find (make?) time
for our own personal spirituality and growth.
In any case, my prayers are with you. mm in pa
Right on target! We, as Christians, must never forget that the source
of our faith is the Scripture. We can "do" and we can "say", but until
we are "filled" with the power of the Word of God, it falls flat. Even
non-believers can do good works. Even non-believers can say righteous
things. But when we are grounded in the Scripture and all that it
reveals to us - God, Christ, Spirit, the purpose of the Church, etc. -
then a new dimension is achieved. When we open the Book, and ponder
its words we are asking God to fill us up with his power and to send
us from our reading into some kind of action that glorifies God and
blesses his people. Few other writings can inspire to that degree.
This passage follows immediately after Jesus' temptation in the
wilderness, a time when he was able to contemplate his upcoming
ministry. He realized his determination to serve God and God only in
that experience; now he reads that Isaiah Scripture to tell the people
of Nazareth that this home-town boy is focused on a single goal -
redemption, in all its forms. Next week we will see that they rejected
his "self-importance", and he went elsewhere to teach (and be
accepted) and to begin his healing ministry and unconventional
preaching.
KyHoosierCat
As I worked on the John text for 1/18 I came to the conclusion that
John was working to promote the idea of realized eschatology. Now, I
see it even more boldly proclaimed in Luke. The texts are proclaiming
that in Jesus Old Testament eschatology-- at least part of it-- IS
FULFILLED. Remember that the gospels are GOSPEL-- good news. THey are
written one to two generations after Jesus death and resurrection.
Their prime purpose is to proclaim who Jesus was/is.
In Christ, we find the fulfillment of God's salvation history. At
least that's what scripture proclaims.
The question is how we approach this text of fulfillment 2000 years
after the fact? We still have blind and lame and those imprisoned by a
host of things. Is/was the fulfullment of GOd's plan in JEsus
incomplete/ineffective? Is scripture wrong as to Jesus being the
fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy?
From my perspective, I answer NO! to these questions. The world IS
changed by the birth/life/death/resurrection of Jesus. It is no longer
the same. The kingdom has/is drawn near and is available to us. That
is a faith statement-- which I happen to believe with all my heart.
The issue is what we say to those who can't see, that drag lamed
limbs, and bounce off the barriers which cage them/us in.
That's my initial read.
West Texas Presbyterian
Dear friends,
As I read this passage I see a Jesus who is a rabel rouser. If he
heals the blind and branches out to all the sick what will happen to
all our doctors and health insurance people? If he brings good news to
the poor then what about those of us who are rich? If he releases the
captives then what shall we do with all the prisons, officers,
administrators, lawyers, judges...My God...our entire civilization
will fall. Well you can kind of see what I see. Maybe we too are
called to be rabel rousers!
Grace and peace, Mike in Sunshine
Okay, so I can't spell rabble rouser! I'm an idea guy and not a detail
guy.
Mike in Sunshine
KHC - you mean Jesus was 'prooftexting?"
But we were taught not to do that in preaching class!
Sally
oops - sorry - that wasn't KHC - that was mm in pa. Sorry for the
confusion.
Sally
Near the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, he visits his hometown
of Nazareth. In the words of Isaiah, he clearly states his purpose and
mission.
In this gospel story, Jesus stands up to read in the same way Ezra did
in the Nehemiah passage. The words Jesus reads from Isaiah would
probably have been familiar to his listeners: the long-awaited promise
that good news will come to the poor, and release to the captives
(4.18). Left here, Jesus seems simply to be participating in the
practices of his tradition. But the story takes a surprising turn when
Jesus comments, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your
hearing" (4.21). Just as Ezra has done before, Jesus' explanation
makes the word of God new in the lives of the community. Though
eventually Jesus will be rejected, those who do hear begin to order
their lives and world according to the fresh insights Jesus has given.
Sunday will be my last Sunday at my current church. I plan to couple
the Corinthians passage with this passage - As the body of Christ they
too are here to "Bring good news to the poor, etc., etc." May the
Spirit be upon them to continue the work that was begun.
Reverend KJ
PS Please keep me in your prayers as I begin the search for a new
church.
This is awesome timing for this passage! It's Jesus' 'State of the
Union' speech. In the Isaiah passage he is quoting he is summing up
both the needful human condition and what He is planning to do about
it! "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." Addressing the poor--
poor in spirit perhaps as well as poor materially speaking...
Addressing the captives --captives of sin... Addressing the blind--
the lost.... Hmmm, I think this might be the beginnings of a good
sermon idea! --Bill P. in Burlington, IA
I know Jesus was speaking about himself when he said,"Today this
scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." A few chapters later he
speaks about hearing the Word of God through a story to a crowd.
Luke 8:8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a
crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he
called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Luke 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and
good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a
crop.
I think it's easy to see that Jesus practiced what he preached. I also
believe he had enough intuition to know this Luke 4 announcement would
be rejected by the people of his home town of Nazareth.
There's a lesson in this for all of us. We all might have different
tid-bits of understanding through this weeks passage but for me it
says it's important to stand up and tell the world who you are.
Rejection by the people might happen but, "those with a noble and good
heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a
crop."
It's a call to ministry we all have as believers, whether the crowd
believes it or not.
Hang in there, ...KB in ks.
For those celebrating The Conversion of St. Paul:
God doesn't give everyone a Damascus vision and directive. But we all
need to seek God's will for us, even if the answer is not always
clear. Probably throughout his life Saul thought he was doing exactly
what God wanted him to do. As a youth he tried to be the best of the
Chosen, "far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors" (Gal
1.14). Was God pleased with him then?
Afterwards, he became Saul the persecutor, "breathing threats and
murder against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9.1), trying to
destroy those who followed the Risen One--and all the time Saul
thought he was doing exactly what God wanted him to do. Could God have
been pleased with him then?
Finally it was as if God had had enough. "Saul, Saul!" the voice of
Jesus came to him, "Why do you persecute me?" God had set Paul apart
for special service before he was born. "He is an instrument," Ananias
was told, "whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and
kings and before the people of Israel" (Acts 9.15). God finally made
Paul see the light. As he wrote to the Galatians, "God...was pleased
to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the
Gentiles (Gal 1.15-16). God was surely pleased with him then!
Can God say of you, "In you I am well pleased"? What if you are set
apart and are not doing your part? We can hardly all demand a personal
epiphany visit. The epiphany of the Son of God was for all the world,
and continues for us in our world and time in sacrament and scripture.
This may be the first and best thing that we can do--join in prayer,
"Lord, what will you have me do?"
KB in ks - thank you!!! Your post speaks to a current dilemma I've
been in ... what I can't get past is that
no one wants to go around saying, "Yeah, I'm the rocky soil ...' " I'm
the shallow root ..." We'd much rather accuse that of the other
person.
Sally
Conversion of St. Paul
I am going to be bold and daring on this one. I am comparing Osama Bin
Laden to pre-converted Paul. This will hopefully bring forth an
appreciation for the power of God.
Then, a segway into "Who do you see in your life that is an impossible
coversion?" blah blah blah... All things are possible with God, even
your conversion, your forgiveness and your eventual resurrection.
Amen.
Luther in IA
An AP article and poll (Saw it in the St. Louis Post-dispatch today
but can't find it online) lists the top 10 things Americans are afraid
of. It reads like Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. This passage reads like
Christ's Hierarchy of needs. Just some food for thought as I chew on
this one for a while.
RevIsrael
Dear mm in pa,
Thanks for your prayer and counsel. Yes, I would not neglect the value
of discernment God's revelation from the community at all. I was
simply crying out for more of the direct first-hand encounter.
It is interesting to note from a conversation I just had with some
young people last night, that their "mode" of devotion was reading
Christian books, and devotional writing; and they found it very hard
to read the scripture for themselves directly. I used the analogy of
processed-food in the frozen dinner sections and the raw filet-mignon
in the meat department of the grocery stores. Processed-food are more
readily available, also filling for a meal; but a steak dinner is more
healthy, even though it is a bit harder to prepare.
As I work with young people a lot, I realized that I need to learn how
to make steak dinner more for myself as I preach and encourage others
to get off the processed-food so we can be a bit more healthy. And
ofcourse, when we have to go for more complicated stuff like Lassagna,
we probably will hit the forzen food section again, for we don't know
how to make it from scratch yet...
<grin>
Coho, Midway City.
RevIsrael:
That sounds like a great tie-in to the Gospel lesson. Would you be
willing to take the time to paraphrase that article (give us the Top
10 fears of Americans at the least) for us here, since it doesn't seem
to be available online?
Thanks-- Heidi in MN
Long Black Train---By Josh Turner
There's a long black train coming down the line Feeding on the souls
that are lost are crying Tails of sin only evil remains Watch out
brother for that Long Black Train
Look to the Heavens you can look to the sky You can find your
salvation staring back into your eyes. There's protection and and
there is peace the same burn in your ticket for that Long Black Train
Cause there's Victory in the Lord , I say, Victory in the Lord! Cling
to the Father and His Holy Name, And Don't go a riding on that long
black train.
There's a engine there on the long black train making you wonder if
your ride is worth the pain he's just a waitin' on your heart to say
let me ride on that long black train.
Well, I hear the whistle froma mile away it sounds so good, but I must
stay away that train is a beauty making everyone stare but its onyl
destination is the middle of nowhere.
But, there's Victory in the Lord I say! Victory in the Lord! Cling to
the Father and His Holy Name, and don't go a riding on that long black
train.
I said, cling to the Father and His Holy Name. Yes, watch out brother
for that long black train.
The Devil's a ridin' that long black train...
I thought you all might like this song. Clerically Blonde
Dear Coho,
Thanks for taking my note as it was meant, not a criticism, but
support. It is hard sometimes not to have the luxury of voice or
facial expressions with our little contributions here.
I love your analogy to your young people of processed frozen food
dinners and real raw filet mignon in the meat section. Not only are
the processed items readily available and filling, but they are often
filled with things we might not wish to eat were we to know they were
part of the ingredients. Or, just that there are unknown ingredients
in there at all is a little scary.
It sure is harder to cook from scratch, but it takes practice and
someone willing to teach us how to do it. My grown daughter (who lives
about a half hour away) is coming over on Fridays to learn how to bake
bread and make sauces ... it takes time and patience and someone
willing to teach (her dad, the definite cook in the family!). It's the
kind of thing you learn to do by feel, not by recipe. The kind of
things our grandmothers used to teach us, but it doesn't get done much
anymore. Who to fill that role?
This analogy is great ... thanks. I'm glad you picked up that I really
did hear what you said and agree -- not just with kids, but sometimes
for me as well. During pressured weeks, I get crunched for time and
fear it is too easy to rely on someone else's insights than to take
the time to read it from scratch. So far, so good. But it is tempting
and I don't want to "go there."
mm in pa
Good News is not the same news for everyone. If I am blind it means
being able to see again. If I am deaf it means hearing again. If I am
in prison it means being free again.
In each of these cases, though, it is about restoration to a previous
state of being. Last weeks lesson was all about reversing the sin of
Eve in John's gospel.
The year of the Lord's favour, is the "year"/"season"/"period", when
the dastardly implications of the effects of eating the knowledge of
good and evil, (Gen 3) is reversed.
We exist in that period of grace, and for that of course we all
rejoice.
But my struggle is truly understanding the "how" Jesus fulfilled this
prophecy from Isaiah.
Generally religion concentrates on the "why". I think the "how" is
absolutely crucial in the context of this passage.
The reversal of sin, is and can only be gained by forgiveness. The
same forgiveness, revealed in the cross, when Jesus died for sinners,
some of whom he would never meet in his earthly lfe (us), is an
illustration of the kind of life we are called to emulate. Paul talks
about, that through Jesus, God was reconciling the world to himself.
We who had been expelled from the garden, and from any chance of
immortality, have now been invited back, and given the opportunity to
eat of the fruit of the tree of life.
When we truly live this life, as Christ lived it we fulfill scripture.
Yes it was fulfilled in Jesus, but it is also fulfilled in us, as we
live out the requirements of a godly life.
Someone mentioned that we still have the poor and captive. That is
exactly my point. We have not yet truly lived the life that Jesus
proclaimed. The Good News is still being brought to the poor, day by
day.
So, you want to live by scripture? None of us, can even contemplate
such a life, (remember the apostles said to Jesus, "This is
impossible")unless we surrender ourselves to the grace of God.
Our world and human beings, (including Christians) still have a long
way to go, before the works begun in Christ, reach their fulfilment.
Eden is still some journey away.
Thank-you for the space to air my thoughts, as a fellow struggler in
Christ's service.
Regards to all, KGB in Aussie.
The Gospel intersects the Epistle at 1 Corinthians 12:27 -- "Now you
are the body of Christ..." with each gifted member of the Body called
to work towards a day of peace and prosperity for all people. As the
Church expereinced a delay in the parousia, telling the afflicted to
be patient for the return of Christ didn't cut it for Luke, hence his
concern for the disenfranchised and oppressed. Instead of salving the
souls of the anxious with the assurance that "He's coming back,"
perhaps we should be more ready to claim that the Spirit of the Lord
is upon us, and we have been annointed to bring good news to the poor,
proclaim release to the captives, ...
The Advent Spider
I really think it is unwise to split the lection for this and next
week. I think the whole story of Jesus' "coming out" in his hometown
needs to be told. It is a little empty if it is split over two weeks,
in my humble opinion.
I plan on using the entire Luke 4: 14-30. Telling the entire vignet
(sp?) opens up some things. By telling the whole story, it really
shows the impact of how quickly the people turn on him. HIm reading
Isaiah and talking about good news to the poor, release to captives,
the year of the Lord's favor, all sounds hunky-dory to the crowd -
until they discover in the second half of the story that the favor of
God is not just for them.
THey discover that their "chosenness" is not about privilege, but
about responsibility. Christ (meaning "annointed", i.e., "messiah")
says that according to Scripture, he is annointed for a purpose. So
are we, his disciples, annointed - filled with the HOly Spirit - to
"overflow," as one of the earlier posts put it.
HOw quickly does the crowd go from "all spoke well of him" to
"all...were filled with rage...and led him to the brow of the
hill...so that they might hurl lhim off..." What could happen to make
these people change their hearts in 6 short verses? Some words jump
out to me: Jesus says, "the truth is..." (v.25). What changed people
minds was the "truth" - the truth that God's grace is so abundant that
it flows beyond the "chosen" to the Gentiles (the widow at Zarephath
and Naaman the Syrian) and that the "poor, captives, blind, oppressed"
Jesus was talking about relieving (whenhe read Isaiah) is not just
Israel. ANd if Israel rejects God's annointing, it will be taken to
others.
Jesus gives his purpose statement in the Isaiah reading. As the body
of CHrist, that purpose is now ours - and it is radically inclusive.
Maybe if we're spoken well of all the time and if we're not in hot
water once in a while, we aren't teling the "truth" of the Gospel; and
maybe we aren't carrying forward Jesus' stated purpose.
Our church has been supporting prison ministry for the last couple of
years, and initially, there were some opposed, thinking we could
better spend resources than for these "convicts." But from the
testimony of our people working on the inside (through Kairos), the
whole congregation sees and hears the dramatic impact the Gospel has
for the inmates - how the captives are truly set free from much more
than walls.
I pray that we may all keep fulfilling Christ's purpose (the part we
can) and that we all have the resolve to speak the "truth," no matter
hwo unpopular it may be.
I am thankful that I live in the flat land, where my congregation
can't throw me off a cliff if I step on their tows! I guess they can
go throw me in the river or make me the implement in a tractor pull.
Filled with the Spirit, may we keep on keepin' on.
RevKinOK
Apologies for the typos. "Hwo" is "how" and "tows" is "toes." I'll try
to do better.
RevKinOK
Symbolism, as Tom Long says, is very important. "He Sat Down" was key
(symbol) to understanding that Jesus was going to explain/preach from
the text just read.
The people would also see in this particular passage the symbol for
their hopes in the future. At some future time, God would annoint,
that is choose the Christ or Messiah, fulfilling the prophacy of
Isaiah 61. Jesus said "Today". Not future or past, making it
impossible to avoid the word today, which is what God's commands
always pertain to --- Right Now. Craddock says, "Throughout these two
volumes (Luke/Acts) 'today' is never allowed to become 'yesterday' or
to slip into a vague someday."
The other symbol is geographic: Nazareth as apposed to Galilee were
great works were accomplished by Jesus. It was "'Here in Your hearing'
these things are fulfilled..." Something about this symbol brought a
rebellion among those familier with Jesus.
All this could be compelling for a sermon that spoke of the symbol of
time and place for this people gathered. Sometime and someplace is
quite alright, but not this time and this place because it involves me
too much...
Steve Souther
Hey Bill P. - I love the connection you made with the 'state of the
union' ...after a long staff meeting this morning my secretary
commented to a visitor in the office that "this was a state of the
church" meeting... Jesus' message is short, sweet and to the point...
unlike Bush (with too many points) and unlike my meeting (too long).
Someone once described this passage as "the Gospel according to
Jesus."
In seminary I was blessed to be in a class taught by Archbishop
Desmond Tutu on "Transfiguration, Reconciliation and Forgiveness." One
small-group did a presentation on racism, and as a follow-through they
asked us to make a commitment to stand against racism. They made
available this text printed on a small piece of paper (3x5). After the
scripture is a statement: I commit to stand against racism, racial
oppression, and systemic disparity. And there is a piece of "kinte"
cloth glued to the paper. I still carry it inside my bible... I still
try to keep my commitment.
Random thoughts...
templeamma in FL
Coho, along your thoughts of the frozen vs fresh: I grew up with
wonderful grapes growing in my back yard. They were perfect straight
off the vine. Once they got processed, they lost something of their
perfection. So too, when the Word gets processed, and we don't get it
straight from "The Vine" it loses something.
I now live in a state of great corn farms. I could say the same thing
about corn, but somehow tying it in with Jesus was a little tougher.
Thank you for the great analogy you offered, Coho.
KyHoosierCat
As I have been thinking on the Luke passage, I think there is a strong
reason that Jesus quoted the Isaaih 61 passage to apply this scripture
to the people of his day. I think there is some sermon material behind
that reason. What was Isaiah saying to those folks way back, and why
did Christ bring up that same point to this audience in Luke? Rev. Ev
in NC
KyHoosierCat & Coho,
May I offer another perspective on the "frozen/fresh" analogy on
scripture.
I grew up in sugar cane growing area. Now sugar cane can be eaten, but
it is almost impossible to extract the fullness of the fruit it in its
natural state.
When it is processed and refined it becomes a usable product, readily
available. The machinery required to achieve that is considerable, and
consumes large degree of energy.
Perhaps it could be said that Scripture also fits this analogy as
well.
Not denying your previous posts aren't true, but hopefully just adding
another ingredient to the cooking pot.
Regards to all. KGB
Heidi, Now I've cut out the article, taken it to church, and am
sitting at home without it. This is actually a note to self to post
the info when I read this at church. Kinda like a desperate preacher
sticky note. RevIsrael
I'm entitling my sermon, "Gracious words, but..." Jesus came with Good
News. One would think that people would be happy and dancing in the
streets over this good news, but... See that's my point, as we can see
in the comments the crowd begins rationalizing, debating, and over all
sort of stomps out the fire Jesus shares. God has heard their prayers
and Jesus is their answer from God.
Why do we always take the side of chaos? Are blessings from God too
much for us? Maybe the possibility of good news is just beyond our
understanding. Why is a message of love so hard to accept? Why do we
want to throw it off a cliff?
"But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way." (Luke
4:30)
Lets not let this happen in our churches. Proclaim the Good News, hold
to the truth and be glad.
KB in ks
I preached three years ago about how this passage, combined with the
passage from 1 Corinthians, is the church's job description.
Here we have what we're supposed to do: bring sight to the blind, good
news to the poor, let the oppressed go free, proclaim the year of the
Lord's favour.
In Paul's words, we have how we're supposed to do it.. together,
respecting and using the gifts of all.
I can't use it again, thought someone else might give it a shot...
Heather in Sharon
Well friends, as is often the case, I'm out here in a field of my own.
No corn, no grapes, no sugar cane. All I have are words today. I've
been pondering the importance of hearing scripture. Nehemiah tells a
powerful story of people hearing scripture that had been forgotten.
They heard the written words and took them in and responded tearfully.
Jesus reads the words of scripture--familiar words--and reinterprets
them. He brings them out of their context and gives them new meaning.
Now hearing and reading are not the same thing. We have to gather
together in groups to hear scripture, like on Sunday morning. But
whether heard or read in the quiet of our homes, we need to be
"hearing" the words (Word if you prefer). I think it is no coincidence
that so many are turning to the One Year Bible (or whatever it is
called). We need to be hearing scripture. Whether is is long forgotten
or familiar, we need to hear and interpret. Don't know how I'm getting
this into a sermon, but it's only Thursday!
Pam in San Bernardino
I agree with Rev K about splitting the lection in two. I may preach
the whole "synagogue to cliff-side" story this week and do the epistle
or something else next week. I think it is important to show Jesus'
comfort with his mission alongside the congregation's discomfort with
his message. Why were they so upset? He said he was fullfilling
Isaiah's prophecy of bringing help to the poor, huddled wretched
masses of blind and oppressed captives. And "Today...in your hearing"
it is fulfilled. "Oh? Where else are you going today? What!? You mean
here, us? Why, we aren't blind or captive! We are good upstanding
middle-class people! Are you talking to me!?!? How dare you. Go peddle
that 'gospel' to somebody who wants to hear it. I've got all the God I
need, thank you very much!" Will we upset folks if we try to point out
that God has something better in mind for them, when they think they
are the 'good people' because they are already in church? What think
ye? Can the idea of more good, more God, be scary, off-putting? tom in
TN(USA)
With Rev K & Tom in TN I am not crazy about splitting the whole
pericope into two weeks. However, after I looked it over I decided I
can't cover it all in one sermon. So this week we are "Opening the
Scroll" with Jesus in the Synagogue and next week we'll continue with
the rest of his "Coming Home" story and how different his reception
was from the intent of Isaiah's prophecy.
KB in KS, glad to see something from you. I'd like to know how things
are going for you in your new appointment. If you'd like to do soe
catching up you can e-mail me at umc@stjohnks.net
Robbie in Kansas
RevKinOK
I appreciate your comment about splitting "the lection for this and
next week." It has, however, occured to me that the lection is doing
exactly what Jesus did. He stopped reading in the middle of a
sentence. He broke the thought. He ended His reading at a comma.
Just a thought.
JG in WI
My first time sharing. Just a couple of thoughts regarding Jesus in
his home-town synagogue. Today in synagogues when the scrolls are
opened the local Rabbi picks up the reading where they left off the
previous week. Was this the case in Jesus' day? Was he reading the
'designated text' or did he pick the text he would read? Also, I seem
to remember a Seminary Professor pointing out that in ancient days the
Rabbi would sit down when he was ready to preach/teach. (How different
in our congregations where people chat and visit until they see the
Pastor stand up and open his mouth---and some continue chatting even
then!!) Anyways, I find it intriguing that as he sits down - every eye
in the synagogue is upon him. They are waiting for the
preaching/teaching! And then the lectionary, in essence cuts off, as
if to say "Tune in next week to see and hear what Jesus will say!"
Just some thoughts for whatever it's worth. Always appreciate your
insights. P.T. in East Ohio
P.T. in East Ohio
From what I've read, many of these synagogues had lectionaries. The
following is summarized from Edersheim's _The_Life_and_Times_of_Jesus_the_Messiah.
One by one, a Priest, a Levite, and in succession, five Israelites had
read from the Law. It seems that Jesus Himself read the concluding
portion from the Prophets, or the so-called _Haphtarah_. Similarly, it
is most likely that the Haphtarah for that day was taken from the
prophecies of Isaiah. We know that the "rolls" on which the Law was
written were distinct from those of the Prophets at least the Greater,
were also written on separate scrolls.
There is more data, but I hope this answers your query.
JG in WI
Thanks for the many insights. I am preaching at a church that is
interested in hiring me as their pastor, my first parish, and don't
have alot of knowledge of the people of the parish. Yesterday I wrote
my sermon but am concerned that although it is scripturally sound and
written to interpret and teach, it lacks insight into how it applies
to us today and our lives and world. Your many insights have helped me
to find ways of making it more relative for us all.
JG in WI - your post reminded me of a marquee quip:
"Don't put a period where God puts a comma."
Sally
P.T. in East Ohio,
Three years ago when I wrestled with this text, I had exactly the same
question as yours: "Was Jesus stumbled upon that passage, or did He
intentionally unrolled it to that passage?" Since there was not enough
conclusive evidence to either one (the former case was a bit
stronger), I gave up pursuing in that direction. But the conclusion
regarding either case would be the same: "Jesus knows his scripture,
both its contents and its applications." And I exhorted the people to
do likewise.
Coho, Midway City
The transition from "good news" to anger:
A previous pastorate was in the Texas Hill country where sheep and
goats are the most common of farm animals. I was in the coffee shop
one day and a guy came in an told a story that had happened to him on
his way into town. As he was driving, he saw a goat with his horns
caught in two twisted strands of barbed wire. (Animals caught in a
fence are not all that uncommon.) He got out and turned the goat
loose. He drove about a quarter of a mile and lo and behold, there was
another goat, stuck in the fence. He turned that one loose as well. He
topped a hill there were two more goats with their horns caught in the
fence. He decided something was going on and drove past them and came
into town. As he told his tale, the cafe cook and owner shook his head
and said in a low voice that only I could hear, "Ole Tom _______ is
really going to be ticked." I said, "How come?" He said, "Tom was in
here about an hour ago. He worked all day yesterday, up till dark last
night, on horseback trying to catch seven Spanish goats that got on
his property. He caught the last one this morning and came into town
to pick up his trailer." I learned later that sticking the goats horns
in a fence is the temporary way that ranchers in that part of the
country restrain the animals.
One thing to remember is that where there are oppressed people, there
are oppressors. Where people are held captives, there are those who
want it that way. West Texas Presbyterian
My focus is on the introduction of the text: "Jesus returned to
Galilee in the power of the Spirit." It affords a good opportunity for
me to continue an emphasis on "basics", as I share about the work of
the Holy Spirit. Last week I centered on Paul's instruction about "the
gifts of the Spirit." This week I want to give some guidance on the
Holy Spirit's work in the church and in each disciple, to "empower" us
to be in ministry. The Spirit's power is often characterized by
teaching's about "manifestations." The danger is that manifestations
end up being the focus rather than fulfilling the mission of Jesus as
described in the Isaiah passage. I may use a comparative illustration.
Where is the Spirit's power often located by our human measurements: A
Praise service or Revival where we "get filled with the Spirit", or a
health fair sponsored by your church to give free health screening's.
My direction for sunday.
Bobby in Tx.
I want to focus on "Prophetic Consciousness" and how that was
displayed by Jesus and how we can also demonstrate it in our lives.
Does any one have any ideas that I can use for illistrations? BD in
Piper City IL.
West Texas Presbyterian, Great story! Hope you don't mind if I use it
on Sunday as a jump off point. I'll credit you as much as I can. lp in
CO
i'm focusing on the nehemiah - coupled with Jesus' message and those
who heard it, or preceived to have heard it. Do we bring an open mind
to the scriptures - the gospel...to Mass/Service/Temple when we are
there? Thank goodness Nehemaiah was open to God's revelation...look
what can happen. Same can be said of us, too, look what can happen
when we open ourselves, body, mind and spirit to God in our faith
communities.
FB in Ohio
AP Poll Results
For those of you looking for the results of the AP Poll that I spoke
of earlier...here they are: The question was "Identify the most
important problems facing the United States." People were allowed to
answer with more than one. Here is what they said... 22% Terrorism 19%
Health-care costs 18% Economy 14% Unemployment 6% Education 5% Iraq 5%
Immigration 5% Poverty/Hunger/Homelessness
Hope it helps and isn't too late.
RevIsrael
I am, I guess off base, but when I read the text and head the 'Good
News' --I heard it with the ears of humanity, who is and was poor,
blind, oppressed, and captive with out Christ.
sailor sam
Perhaps we could entitle this: Jesus' First Sermon. What will be his
priorities, his mission, his emphases in ministry? Do you remember
your first sermon? What did you say? How does it measure up to who you
are today?
It is interesting that Jesus did not take the scroll out and beat
people over the head with it. He proclaimed the nature and essence of
God: liberating love. That kind of unconditional love knocks down all
the boundaries and categories to which we place people. The polling
data was positive after his sermon, but then the people did a
"meltdown" and didn't want to hear anything that made them
uncomfortable, even the good news.
