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14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “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, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 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. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”(Luke 4:14-21 NIV)
Dear Friend, a glorious day is yours for the taking! Invite God to guide you and empower you with the right mindset, the right attitude and the bold faith to share Him at every opportunity. Ours is a world-wide mission that starts right where our feet are standing now and to wherever God may take you and me. As we pray this morning, please add this prayer request from San Saba, Texas:
Baby Karson is going to have brain surgery now because his ventricles in his brain won't stop growing and it is putting pressure on his brain. We don't know when yet but he has another appointment on Monday. Will you please add him back on the prayer list? This poor baby boy has sure been struggling. He is still on oxygen and just made it home a couple of weeks ago. Thank you. May the Lord bless this precious baby in his hour of need, granting peace and calm to his parents and grandparents and all who love him. May we also pray for those who may be in harm's way in the coming winter storm to this area and other areas. Share old, unused coats with agencies that could pass them on to those who need it; same for blankets and other items that help keep people warm.
Those of you who know me know that I am an emotional guy. And, if you are an emotional person who loves God, a trip to the Holy Land will trigger your tear ducts. Nellie and I had the honor and awesome privilege of standing right in the ruins of the synagogue where this event took place. It was a hometown boy in his hometown synagogue with the responsibility ot bringing the word that Sabbath. Until that day, I did not know how the events shared in this passage played out. Our guide, Dr. Jack Beck, explained it all. Whoever had the talk or sermon for the day, would be handed the scroll, he would read the selected passage, hand the scroll back to the attendant, then sit down in the Moses Seat. This was a powerful symbol of him being bolstered as it were, by Moses and the authority with which Moses carried out his mission. The passage for his message that day was from the Prophet Isaiah (6:1-2). Jesus sat down on the Moses Seat and then said something that blew the minds of those who heard Him: "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearting." BAM! Not what the hometown crowd expected to hear from the carpenter's son. "Mary, did you hear what your boy said?" Or what Mary herself might have initially thought? "Now son? Is it your time?"
The moment described in this passage marks a profound revelation—an epiphany—in the life of Jesus and in the history of salvation. Up to this point, Jesus had been preparing for the mission that was now to be revealed publicly. His ministry was not just about healing the sick or performing miracles; it was about proclaiming a radical new reality for humanity.
When Jesus stands up in the synagogue in Nazareth, he is not simply reading ancient words; he is declaring that the prophecy of Isaiah has now come to life. He is the fulfillment of God’s promises, and this is the epiphany—the revealing of God’s plan for the world through Christ. Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, announces that he has come to:
1) Proclaim good news to the poor
2) Bring freedom to those held captive—whether by sin, oppression, or injustice
3) Give sight to the blind—both physically and spiritually
4) Set the oppressed free
5) Announce the year of the Lord’s favor, the time of God's grace and salvation
In that moment, the people in the synagogue had their first clear understanding of who Jesus truly was. But their response? Mixed. Some were amazed, others were skeptical, and many were just plain uncomfortable. His message was too big, too radical for them to embrace fully.
Yet this mission—the mission that Jesus reveals—is still the mission of the Church today. As believers, we are called to continue what Jesus began: to proclaim the good news, to seek justice for the oppressed, to heal brokenness, and to show the world that God’s grace is available to all.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank You for the profound revelation of who You are and what You came to do. You came to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom to prisoners, sight to the blind, and liberation to the oppressed. We pray that Your mission becomes our mission. Open our eyes to see the needs around us, give us hearts of compassion, and empower us with Your Spirit to bring light where there is darkness. May Your grace flow through us to heal, restore, and set people free. We trust that, with You, we can bring the hope of Your Kingdom to the world. In Your strong name, we pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Take a moment to reflect on those around you who may be struggling—whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. How can you share the good news of God’s love and hope with them today? Is there someone who needs a reminder that they are not forgotten by God? Be bold, take action, and let God’s Spirit guide you as you continue the mission that Christ has set before us all.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
