Luke 4:20-22
Jesus rolls up the scroll and now sits down in front of the people to distinguish the words of scripture from his words of interpretation as was the custom of the day. It was the moment they had waited to witness. "All eyes", says Luke, "were fastened on him." Talk about a captive audience!
"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Not tomorrow, not someday, not when Messiah comes...today! I wonder how he said it. Was it with some bravado, a dash of the dramatic, with oratorical panache? Was it low-keyed, matter of fact, holy whisper?
Whatever the case those who heard it were so anticipatory that their eagerness and Jesus' reputation that preceeded him was heard more loudly than his words. They respond with enthusiasm before the words really sink in.
What they miss at first is the audacious mission statement that Jesus has just proclaimed....but not for long. The murmur begins. "Is this not Joseph's son?" It's a question not of Jesus' family of origin as much as it is a "Who does he think he is?" question.
It's a fair question. Who does he think he is? Who do you think he is? For more on Jesus' mission statement check out the teaching time from this past weekend on the MUMC website.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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