Read Luke 4:14-21

Read Luke 4:14-21

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. He stood up to read, and 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 favor."

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."

Reflect

Jesus used a passage from the Old Testament book of Isaiah to proclaim a message about God the Father and to show how he himself was the fulfillment of that message. Though most of us won't find ourselves formally teaching others like Jesus did here, how can we proclaim the message of Christ's gospel to the world in the course of our lives?

Respond

Pray a very focused prayer today, asking God for his Spirit to be on you and in you, and for you to be open to proclaiming Christ with your life.