Jesus is Here

Jesus declares the words from the Isaiah scroll: “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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor?Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18-21) One moment all spoke well of Jesus, and the next moment, “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.” (Luke 4:29) Boy, that escalated quickly!

This could be a case of a prophet not being accepted in their own town, or a case of people wanting a sign and not liking Jesus’ answer. Perhaps they missed what Simeon and Anna didn’t when Jesus was presented at the temple decades earlier: Jesus, the Word of God in the flesh, is the embodiment of God’s salvation. Jesus’ presence is the sign. Jesus is the good news promised to God’s people, and they missed out.

Thank you, O God, that your good news in Jesus Christ is for all people, including me. Give me eyes to see Jesus in my midst and a grateful heart. Amen. — ANS