Luke 4:16-21 NRSVue

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 set free those who are oppressed, 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.”

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
The throwaway details in this passage tell us much about the ordinary life of Jesus. It was his custom to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath; though he took issue with details of the Law proclaimed there, he chose to join with his community in the worship of God. Though he wrote nothing (as far as we know), he read, and was chosen to read to the assembly. He read standing, and then sat down ? the posture for serious teaching. The eyes of all in the assembly were fixed on him. It is a moment of grace and promise, as he brings the good news to his own people.

Reflection
Lord, this is a scene I would love to have witnessed. Let me unroll it slowly.

Reflection
Jesus' good news is that we are all loved unconditionally by God, no ifs, no buts. When I accept that, truly believe and live by it, I gain freedom of heart and mind and a new insight into the ways God works in our lives.