Focus
Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.
Read
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” 24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Reflect
Homecomings are usually joyous events. The Prodigal Son’s appearance on the road leading to the family homestead resulted in his father’s staging a joyous celebration with food and music. Former students attending high school or college homecomings celebrate friendships with former classmates after perhaps a few years of not seeing one another. The return of military personnel after completing a term of service away from family is more and more these days a cause for joy, even leading to a reality TV series, “Coming Home,” which aired in 2011-2012. Jesus had a homecoming event when he was ministering in the Galilee region, turning water into wine, assisting in the catch of fish, feeding thousands, calming a storm, and walking on water. He returned to his hometown Nazareth, and took part in leading worship in the synagogue. Those in attendance were pleased and surprised at his command of the event. Until he gave his sermon, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” He reminded those who heard him that Elijah and Elisha were sent by God to minister to those outside of Judaism. They were furious with Gentiles being held up as objects of God’s mercy and attempted to kill Jesus. Jesus’s homecoming experience was not what many of us imagine a proper homecoming should be. There was no faith in the room. There was no openness to Holy Spirit as there had been in Capernaum. The message was not what the Nazarenes expected to hear.
Pray
God of place, we often don’t hear what You want us to hear because the messenger doesn’t speak the “right” words. The message is sometimes delivered when we least expect it, and sometimes not where we anticipate hearing it. Give us the open ears to receive Your word. Give us the sense of Your presence. Lead us to be the neighbor to those who are fearful, feel hopeless, and experience hurt. Amen.
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