As we journey through the Epiphany season, Christ continues to reveal to us the mission and ministry we are being called into. As we enter into this text (Luke 4:14-30) we encounter Jesus delivering a sermon at his hometown synagogue in Nazareth.

At first, the people who are gathered are pleased to hear his words as he reads from the book of Isaiah. Jesus reads, 

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.

But then, Jesus pushes the people to consider this inclusive message in new ways. These words are no longer just for the people of Israel, this reforming work, this restorative work, is now being broadened, expanded, to include not only the people of Israel, but ALL people. 

The text before us ends in this way: 

When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 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. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. (Luke 4:28-29)

This is such a violent text. One can almost sense the rage of the people, all of them rising up against this one who speaks about a broader vision of love and a wider embrace of reconciliation. 

We can certainly understand this passion, however. Throughout the past year, and especially in the events of the past weeks, we have seen this rage built up among the people. Protests and mobs gather to declare their message, to protect their own agendas, to declare the truth as they know it. 

WWJD?

What, I wonder, would Christ do if he was standing in our midst?

I would imagine that he may very well declare the same words spoken on that day on the dusty hillside of Nazareth. “I come for ALL people. I come for the poor, to release people of their sins and their burdens, to open up eyes to see more clearly, to free all people from their oppression and their hatred.”

WWWD?

How willing are we to embrace this message given to ALL people? 

As we continue on in our season of Epiphany, we too, are being asked to consider this radical re-awakening of the spirit among us. 

One of the leading tenets of our mission and vision statement is one of faithfulness and purpose. We believe that the Lord has a purpose for us here in this place and space.

But how do we define that space? This space where all people are included? If you are like most people, there are probably a few barriers you have set up to reflect your own ideas and concepts, your agenda, your understanding of the work we are a part of.

Questions to Ponder

Today we ask you to consider these questions:

• What barriers need to come down when you consider the radical inclusion of Christ’s redeeming message? How is the work of the church, our own individual work, challenged by Christ’s radical reforming and restorative work? How does this change our own sense of faithfulness and purpose?

We would love to hear your thoughts! Please comment below.