Scripture:
Luke 4:14-22 (English Standard Version)
Jesus Begins His Ministry
14(A) And Jesus returned(B) in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and(C) a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15And(D) he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth 16(E) And he came to(F) Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And(G) as was his custom,(H) he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up(I) to read. 17And(J) the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18(K) "The Spirit of the Lord(L) is upon me, because he has anointed me to(M) proclaim good news to the poor.(N) He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and(O) recovering of sight to the blind, (P) to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19(Q) to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
20And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and(R) sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were(S) fixed on him. 21And he began to say to them, "Today(T) this Scripture(U) has been fulfilled in your hearing." 22And all spoke well of him and marveled at(V) the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said,(W) "Is not this(X) Joseph’s son?"
Cross references:
Luke 4:14 : Matt 4:12
Luke 4:14 : Luke 4:1; Acts 1:8
Luke 4:14 : Luke 4:37
Luke 4:15 : Matt 4:23
Luke 4:16 : For Luke 4:16-30, Matt 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6
Luke 4:16 : Luke 2:39, 51
Luke 4:16 : Acts 17:2
Luke 4:16 : Luke 4:31; Mark 6:2
Luke 4:16 : Acts 13:15, 27; 15:21
Luke 4:17 : Luke 3:4; Acts 8:28
Luke 4:18 : Isa 61:1, 2
Luke 4:18 : Luke 4:1; Acts 1:2
Luke 4:18 : Matt 11:5; Luke 6:20
Luke 4:18 : Psalm 146:7, 8
Luke 4:18 : Isa 42:7; John 9:39; Acts 26:18
Luke 4:18 : Isa 58:6
Luke 4:19 : Lev 25:10; Isa 49:8; 2 Cor 6:2
Luke 4:20 : Matt 26:55; John 8:2; Matt 5:1; 13:2
Luke 4:20 : Acts 3:4; Luke 19:48
Luke 4:21 : Mark 12:10; Acts 8:35
Luke 4:21 : Matt 1:22
Luke 4:22 : Psalm 45:2
Luke 4:22 : Matt 13:55; John 6:42
Luke 4:22 : Luke 3:23
Reflection:
In Jesus we see the grace of God in action. His gracious words brought hope, joy, and favor to those who were ready to receive him. Where did Jesus began his public ministry? In his own land of Galilee where he was reared. His proclamation of the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah brought wonder to his kin and townsfolk. Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to those oppressed by sin and evil (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus awakened their hope in the promises of God. They, in turn, received his words favorably and wondered what would become of "Joseph's son". Their hearts were hungry for the word of life and they looked to Jesus with anticipation and wonder. Do you look to Jesus with confidence and hope in the fulfillment of all God's promises? What did Jesus come to do for us? He came to set us free from the worst tyranny possible -- slavery to sin and the fear of death, and the eternal destruction of both body and soul. God's power alone can save us from emptiness and poverty of spirit, from confusion and error, and from hopelessness and the fear of annihilation. The gospel of salvation is "good news" for us today. Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams. Through the gift of your Holy Spirit you bring us grace, truth, life, and freedom. Fill me with the joy of the gospel and and inflame my heart with love and zeal for you and your will
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