Day 6 Tuesday Feb 23 2010

Day 6 Tue February 23, 2010

*Can you name this man on the right?

TODAY’S INTRO
Nothing is going to derail Jesus from his longer term mission. That is what I see at play in the wilderness story. The second part of today’s text is the launch of Jesus’ public ministry. He starts in his hometown where they aren’t necessarily thrilled with him. Read on.

TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 4:1-30
4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." 4Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.' " 5 Then the devila led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And the devilb said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." 8Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.' " 9 Then the devilc took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,'11and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' "12Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " 13When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry
14 Then 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.
The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth
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, 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, 19 to 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." 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" 23He 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.' " 24And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. 25But 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; 26yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27There were also many lepersd in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." 28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29They 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. 30But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.


TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES

Six days in. Jesus is now a full grown adult; ready to begin his ministry. We have two episodes today. One a private 40 day venture that we “overhear”. The other is the first “public words” from his mouth that appear in this Gospel. First words are often very memorable. “Momma” or “dada” is what we might think of. In our media saturated day, they say that many kids first words are sometimes a “brand” they recognize.
In some sense Jesus first words are about “branding” his mission. When he says, he is there to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, he is announcing “Jubilee”- a key old Testament concept that called for debt forgiveness, freedom for captives, restoration, healing, and a leveling off to put all people back on their feet, living in true community! You can read about the Old Testament Vision for the Jubilee year in Leviticus 25:8-12. What kind of world would we live in if we could ever pull this vision off? What would it take? (Consider those bonus questions for today)
What I can tell you is people like Bono (lead singer of U2) has grabbed hold of the vision of Jubilee and often encourages leaders of nations to debt forgiveness based on this idea. (google “2006 national prayer breakfast” sometime and read the text or listen to the audio). Bono can sometimes make you a bit uncomfortable as he challenges nations and leaders but when you really listen to him you know that he has a love and passion for caring for the poor of this world. (Truth be told- Bono is someone I have great admiration for!) His efforts to care for people in horrendous conditions and calling others to do the same is an important witness.
What we will see over and over and over again in Luke’s Gospel is Jesus “announcing Jubilee” in word and deed to outcasts, sinners, the despised, the establishment, and to anyone he meets. Jesus, “the real deal” will not just speak about jubilee, he will also show it by his actions. Jesus’ words matched his deeds- in perfect alignment throughout.
One of the things we also can meditate on is how we can “proclaim Jubilee” in the course of our daily lives. Who around us is living with tremendous burdens? Who around us is struggling and seems to have no way to make progress? Are there ways we can step in and help carry the tremendous burdens of others? That also is the spirit of Jubilee.


FRIENDS ADDED
Some people in hometown (but some may have quickly “unfriended him” after the synagogue speech.)

Holy Spirit- the Spirit is a central part of Luke’s theology. Just note that so far Jesus is shown as always having a “full tank” of the spirit.

(Let’s give Bono Credit)

CAUSES
Priority of Poor (whom Jubilee will benefit)

Proclamation of Jubilee to those in great need

Prayer

Jesus, be with us this day and help us to proclaim jubilee in our interactions. Bring the day when all the people of this earth are cared for. Use us to help start the momentum of jubilee- teaching us to share from your abundance. Amen

OTHER NOTES
As time is short, I will not be able to dig into the time of solitude that Jesus spent as he focused on the mission ahead. (first part of today’s text). For me, solitude and quiet reflection are absolute musts in my life. Without them, I find that I can easily lose focus. Perhaps the next time through Luke, I’d spend more time on this period of preparation!


For Good Shepherd 1115 Attenders- We often sing a song in worship called “The Days of Elijah” by Robin Mark. Youtube video has lyrics. Just note that it is a song in which we boldly sing out about the importance of proclaiming jubilee! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4wl0VFgpjY