Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders
Imagine yourself sitting in the synagogue in Nazareth that day. You expect the usual religious ritual—prayers, readings from the scrolls, and the chanted responses of those assembled. Today, however, a young homegrown rabbi who has just finished a well-received teaching/healing circuit in nearby Capernaum, is in the house. Given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, he carefully unwinds it, searches for Chapter 61 and reads its opening lines:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.”
What could be good about living under oppression? What could be good about being poor, or sick, or not envisioning a hopeful future (literally or figuratively)?
Nothing really.
Yet, Jesus dressed in garments of righteousness and empowered by the zeal of the Holy Spirit declares:
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free the oppressed
and announce that the time has come
when the Lord will save his people.”
(Luke 4:18-19, GNT)
To be sure, this passage of Scripture from the prophet Isaiah (61:1-2a) was read in the synagogue hundreds of times before. Yet, there was something radically different about the message this time. It was authoritative. It was revolutionary. It was real.
At this reading, the words took on the significance they were meant to convey. Rabbis usually interpreted this Isaiah prophecy as the mission and ministry of the Messiah who was to come.
The audience was mesmerized. When Jesus takes his seat, he further declares: “This passage of scripture has come true today, as you heard it being read” (Luke 4:21, GNT).
Every person under the sound of Jesus’ voice was included—those in the inner court of the synagogue, and those in its outer court.
Today…
Sit up and take note we who listen. The Word becomes flesh before our very eyes. The Scriptures are trumpeted in our ears. Jesus declares that Isaiah’s prophecy has been fulfilled, and we are hearers of God’s Good News!
The good news is that God chose and commissioned Jesus to accomplish and fulfill his will. The Messiah is here!
The good news is that we have an advantage over our enemy going into battle. We have an advocate—our God fights for us, and yes, we know, even before the end, that we win!
How our attitudes would change if we truly believed that “if God is for us, who can be against us.” We would meet every challenge, as just that, a challenge. We would not yield to the mental gymnastics the devil plays in our heads, so that we doubt God’s Word.
Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus presents a God who very actively works on behalf of his people in every area of our lives. Clearly, only he is our Savior.
In a world that often aims to keep us spiritually and physically impoverished; blind to the opportunities and blessings God offers; oppressed by doubts of our self-worth; confused about who is in control; and denies us birthright as children of a Heavenly King, Jesus’ words are indeed Good News.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, even now, fill us with your Spirit that we might share the Good News. You, Lord, are the hope of every nation, the joy that makes our life worth living. We worship you and give you praise. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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