1/21/2025 0 Comments FixedLuke 4:14-21
Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204%3A14-21&version=NRSVUE Jesus had just come from his time in the wilderness, in which he was led there by the Spirit, and then led out “in the power of the Spirit” (v.14) to begin his ministry in Galilee. It’s important to notice the mention of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, we think the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost when Jesus ascended to heaven, but we see here the Spirit was always present. In fact, the Spirit guides Jesus just like the Spirit guides us. Before Jesus’ time came to begin his ministry, the Spirit led him deep into the wilderness, alone, to battle his own demons, and to prepare for his work ahead. Even Jesus needed a spiritual pilgrimage or a silent retreat to be alone with the Spirit to learn, to listen, and to surrender to the Spirit’s nudging. Once his preparation time was complete, the Spirit led him, fully-Spirited, to begin his work. The Spirit was always with him, and so it’s important for us to understand that we always need the Spirit to lead us, fill us, and be present with us at every step. Jesus went to Galilee to begin his ministry by teaching in the local synagogues, and when he came to his hometown in Nazareth, he revealed himself by reading scripture. Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2 that announces the coming of the Messiah and the good news that he will bring to the poor, and then says “this scripture has been fulfilled,” (v.21) referring to himself. Jesus revealed himself many different ways – through miraculous healings, private conversations with the disciples, preaching and teaching, and through reading scripture. Jesus still reveals himself through our reading of scripture, particularly through the practice of lectio divina. If we come to the scripture without an agenda and truly listen intently and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, Jesus will reveal himself through the reading of the holy text. We must be like the listeners in the synagogue, though, whose eyes were fixed on him (v.20). How do we normally listen to the reading of scripture? Are we looking for an answer that backs up our preconceived notion? Are we looking to weaponize it to prove our understanding is the “right” one? Are we thinking about our shopping list during the reading? We truly have to come to scripture with the intention to listen openly for Jesus. Or, as The Message translation phrased it, with “eyes placed on him, intent.” The Greek word “atenizō” is the word translated to mean “fixed” or “fastened.” Other definitions are “to look intently, gaze, stare, and see.”[1] When Jesus revealed himself through the reading of scripture, the people looked so intently at him that they saw who he was. We have to look intently if we want to see Jesus. Jesus could not have done this if the “Spirit of the Lord” (v.18) wasn’t upon him. Jesus had to be “in the power of the Spirit,” (v.14) for the people to see him and to trust what he is saying is true. Jesus needed the Spirit’s presence to be with him, to open the people’s eyes and understanding. This big revelation will come with mixed responses, which we will explore next week. There will certainly be a fallout, in which Jesus would need the power of the Spirit to guide him through it and to help him carry out his work. Likewise, we need the presence of the Spirit to guide us through the naysayers and the obstacles that will always come with bringing good news to the poor. The Spirit will be upon us if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Reflection Questions: Do you fix your eyes intently on Jesus? What causes you to shift your eyes away from Jesus? Has Jesus revealed himself to you when you’ve read scripture? Have you experienced the Spirit’s presence with you when following the Spirit’s nudge? Pray: Help us, God, to keep our eyes fixed on you, especially when you tell us something we don’t want to hear. Action: Do an act of kindness to someone in need this week to share Jesus’ good news to the poor. *New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. [1] NIV Exhaustive Concordance Dictionary. Zondervan, 2015.
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