“He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.” Luke 4:15
Here we see Jesus in his rightful place, at the centre of the worshipping community, receiving acclamation from the people of faith. It is where Jesus should be, both then and now. As we begin this week let us try to put Jesus at the centre of all we do, in order that all we do brings glory and honour to him. Let us pray for praise to be on our lips in every encounter with Christ
“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,” Luke 4:18
So many are prisoners of self – sin keeps us in chains that keep us from God and Jesus comes to break those chains. Many are blinded to the reality of their own situations, Jesus comes that we might see clearly and leave our old lives. Oppression is the result of following the way of the world. True freedom is found in Christ. Let us pray for opportunities to proclaim the good news of Christ today.
“to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Luke 4:19
We live in a time of grace; God’s favour is available to all. No longer are we bound by the old ways. In Christ we are given direct access to our Father in Heaven, not because of anything we can do or earn but because of his mercy and grace. Because of what Jesus has done the Lord’s favour is available to all. Let us praise God for his love, expressed through Christ on the Cross.
“He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21
God’s plan finds its fulfilment in both the ministry of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. Everything that humankind has done that separates us from God is overturned and wiped away for those who choose to turn away from those destructive ways, deciding to follow Jesus instead, believing in him. Let us pray that we that God’s grace and love would find fulfilment in us.
“All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’ they asked.” Luke 4:22
As the people listened they realised that Jesus had insight and authority. Many today need to listen to the wisdom of Jesus. If they did, I am sure they too would be of the same mind of those who saw in Jesus something more than a man. Let us pray that as we draw close to Christ that we would find his wisdom and apply it to our lives.
“Truly I tell you,’ he continued, ‘no prophet is accepted in his home town.” Luke 4:24
After saying this Jesus points out that they are not living the way the scriptures teach them. They are not ‘walking the walk.’ They know the things to do, and they talk about them but they are not doing them. We are called to challenge the status quo when it neglects to show love and compassion to those on the margins, those not as fortunate as ourselves, some will reject us even condemn us, but this is our duty as followers of Christ. Let us pray that we would respond as Jesus calls us to.
“All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” Luke 4:28-30
As the people realise Jesus is challenging their behaviour they don’t like what they hear, and so they look to get rid of him. Let’s face it none of us likes to be caught doing the wrong thing, but our response should not be to silence the voice that challenges us but rather it should be to change the behaviour that is wrong. Let us pray that we would be willing to learn and accept correction when it is needed.
and his Word will defend us against the arrows of evil.