Sunday, January 24, 2016

January 24: A Snowy Day Devotion

Hi Folks,

Hope you are all getting dug out!

Since we missed worship today, here's a little devotional for you, if you would like to read it.

Luke 4:14-21

14Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16When 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, 17and 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, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20And 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. 21Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

In this passage, Jesus makes a bold claim.  The people in the synagogue are witnessing the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophesy in him. 

In Christ's life is the culmination of God's message to God's people, not to just the people of that time and place, but for people of all time.  Jesus came for all people, bringing Good News, life, freedom, healing, love, and forgiveness.  Jesus fulfilled God's mission to have God's know how much they are loved, how valuable they are, how gifted they are.  But, the message just doesn't end there.  The true fulfillment of Christ's message is for those of us who listen and believe to truly take up the tasks in our own lives.  Wow, I am loved...so know, go out and love.  Wow, I am forgiven...so go out and forgive.  Wow, I am gifted...so go out and give.

Jesus message doesn't stop with our hearing.  The true fulfillment is in the message's doing.  We are partners with Christ's fulfillment.

Let us pray.  Thank you, O God, that you have given us so much with which to serve you and your people.  Help us to truly embody your love in this world by sharing and caring.  Amen.

Have a great day, folks.  Blessings abound!

Peace,
Rev. Lucille

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