For Sunday, January 27

Reading:  Luke 4:14-21

In this story Jesus is just beginning his Spirit-filled ministry of teaching and healing.  After making a first tour of the synagogues of Galilee, Jesus comes home to Nazareth and on the sabbath is invited to read the Scripture for the day. 

He reads the appointed passage from Isaiah 61 in which the prophet affirms God's promise of restoring the people of Israel, setting them free from their bondage in order to rebuild their kingdom and be a light to all the nations.  It is a promise that Israel has lived by, and prayed for, for centuries.

After reading the passage Jesus sits down.  Then instead of offering a traditional sermon about the meaning of the promise, or a mildly comforting or inspiring explanation of how to continue to live by the promise even when it still seems so far from being fulfilled, he says, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled -- right here and now, in your hearing."

Does he mean it's being fulfilled specifically in him -- drawing attention to himself as the One who is God's anointed servant?  Or that it's being fulfilled in the people of the synagogue -- that as they hear the Word read, the Spirit of God's kingdom enters their hearts and lives in a new way?  Or that God is doing this work among all the people -- pouring out the Spirit of right-life upon all people, making a new way of being possible in all the world?

Or maybe all three?

In the story Luke is careful to quote the passage Jesus reads and refers to.  The Gospel makes sure that we know what part of Scripture and what promise of God comes true through Jesus.

Now ... imagine being Jesus for a moment.  You have begun the work of teaching and healing that you feel in your bones and that you can't help but be doing.  You're back home, and on the sabbath in the synagogue you're invited to read the scripture.

It's the promise of the rebuilding of the kingdom, so your people can once again be a light of God's glory to the nations.  You read the promise.  You sit down.  The words sound so true to what you see and feel happening in your own life, that all you can say is, "Yes!  That's exactly what's coming true.  That's the story we are living right now!"

QUESTION:  Is there a story of the Bible that seems to be "your story"?  One that always just seems to "be there" or to appear when you need it?  Or that maybe seems to catch your attention especially at this stage of your life?

Knowing what "our story" is, can help us to live it more deeply, and to a happier conclusion.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTION:  Or, if it's not a biblical story that's your (inspiring, guiding, present) story right now, what kind of story is it that catches your heart?  Where does it come from?