24.1.25 Luke 4:14-23

24 January

Prepare

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with humble hearts, knowing that You are holy and good. We bring our praise and our burdens, trusting in Your mercy and grace. Help us to draw close to You, to hear Your voice, and to rest in Your presence. Teach us Your ways and guide our hearts as we spend time with You. 

Take a moment to be still, to humble ourselves to our heavenly Father.

Read Luke 4:14-23

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“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,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

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.

Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

Reflection

In the early part of the 1900’s the explorer Ernest Shackleton wanted to recruit a crew to explore Antarctica. He famously put this advertisement in the newspaper:

Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.

You would think that he would get no response! Well, he was inundated with applicants!

In the passage today we see that Jesus knew His purpose and mission—announcing good news, healing the sick, and setting the oppressed free—we, too, are called to fulfil God’s mission.

This can involve serving others, sharing the message of hope, and standing up for justice. By embracing God's plan for us, we live with intentionality and mission, just as Jesus did.

We don’t start out on this mission to gain personal honour and recognition but do it for the glory of God.

There may be times of on this mission of hardship, going without and we might even have to go to cold places, but our reward is in Heaven. 

Be

Almighty God,
we give thanks for the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
who, in the power of the Holy Spirit, began His ministry of healing,
proclaiming good news to the poor,
bringing sight to the blind,
and setting the oppressed free.

Lord, help us to hear His words with open hearts,
and may we too be instruments of Your grace and truth.
Grant us the courage to proclaim the message of hope,
even when it is difficult or met with doubt.
May we stand firm in our faith,
knowing that, just as Jesus was rejected,
we too may face opposition in following His path.

Empower us with Your Spirit,
that we may live in accordance with Your will,
and be a light in this world for all who seek the truth.
Through Christ, who calls us to follow,
we offer this prayer.

Become

How might God be nudging you to take on his mission? Is there something in the ministry at StPB that God is wanting you to get involved in?

Lord Jesus, my answer is Yes. Now please guide me to what yes looks like.

Do

Reflect on those who have been doing Gods mission and have impacted your life as a result. What can we learn from their act of service?

Practice

What could you do today that could be a simple action that involves serving others, sharing the message of hope, and maybe standing up for justice.