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
If you have ever wondered what the purpose of the church is, this gospel lesson, which could be considered the church’s mission statement, gives the answer. Our purpose is to extend God’s promises and protection to those who need them the most: the poor, the sick, the brokenhearted and the oppressed. The disciple’s job description is to be a blessing to those least blessed.
Now, you may be saying, “Wait a minute, that’s the job description for Jesus, not for me!”
But you and I are part of the body of Christ. The Spirit we received in our baptism is the same Spirit that filled Jesus when he was baptized. Anointed with the Holy Spirit, we have the same calling.
Prayer
Loving Lord, the captive, the blind, the oppressed, the hurting and the lost are all longing to hear words of comfort, hope and redemption. Move our hearts from delay to action, for today is the day Jesus called for these words to be fulfilled. Amen.