One
of the wondrous facets of the Judeo-Christian tradition is the rhythm of Old
Testament prophesy and New Testament fulfillment. We saw that last week as Rev. Juliann Whipple
preached on the story of the Magi following the star to find Jesus and bring him
gifts as prophesied in Isaiah 60. Her
challenge to let our lights shine in all we do still resounds with me, and I
hope with you too.
Today
we encounter Jesus as an adult back in his hometown of Nazareth. He was recently baptized in the Jordan River by
John the Baptist. Luke 4:22 says “as he
was praying heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily
form like a dove. And a voice came from
heaven, ‘You are my Son whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” Then Jesus,
full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led into the wilderness where
he fasted for forty days and was tempted yet prevailed. Now at home, he enters the synagogue as was
his custom. There he was handed the
scroll of the prophet Isaiah and he 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."
This
prophesy comes from Isaiah 61. It is a
prophesy of what the mission of God’s anointed Messiah will be. After Jesus read these words in the
synagogue, Scripture tells us, “Then he
rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat back down. And
said, “today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Here
Jesus is saying that he is the promised Savior coming to fulfill God’s
mission. As we look as our mission as a
church, as we consider where God would have us join Christ in ministry, what do
these words tell us?
I
look forward to discerning God’s will and particular mission for Eastminster as
we journey on. Get Ready … Get Set … Go!
Blessings,
Tim
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