16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Lk. 4)
Thoughts: Jesus read the scroll. He saw the scriptures spoke of him. He believed God was fulfiling scripture right before their eyes. It was his custom to go to the synagogue. But it was not his custom to claim that he was the Messiah- the fulfillment of scripture and dreams. For stating this truth they tried to kill him. Jesus could have avoided the whole issue by not making any claim. But Jesus knew he had to start making the claim if he was to fulfill his purpose. The scripture was not dead to him, but alive. It is also alive to us in a different way. The truth needs to be told. Scripture needs to be clarified and preached- which is what Christ did.
Prayer: Let me speak your word honestly and for a greater good.
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