Photo by Tanner Mardis on Unsplash
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
There’s a first time for everything! I remember some of the firsts in my life. First time I rode a bike without training wheels – exhilarating. First day of school – intimidating. First time I drove a car by myself – freeing. First time I preached – both a bit nerve wracking and exciting. It was at Concordia Lutheran Church in St. Louis where the congregation was a mix of Seminary professors and nice families all sitting there … waiting for me to proclaim God’s Word to them.
In Luke 4 we witness one of Jesus’ firsts as He started His earthly ministry. Jesus had just left the devil in the dust, fending off Satan’s temptations. From the wilderness temptations, Jesus made His way back to His hometown Nazareth. He went to the synagogue to do what He always did … worship His Father in heaven. But this time was a little different. Someone gave Him a scroll … with the words of Isaiah on it. He read,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind...” (Luke 4:18-19)
Then, He gave His first sermon to commence His earthly ministry saying, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21) But, rather than shout “Hosannas!” that the Messiah was with them, His hometown neighbors, who only knew Jesus as Joseph’s son, were aghast! They’d seen Jesus grow up before their very eyes. They knew His parents, Joseph and Mary. Words were fine, but without proof of miracles, signs, and wonders they couldn’t believe Jesus was anything more than the carpenter’s son. In fact, they were ready to ride Him out of town on the rails and run Him off a cliff. But Jesus, the Son of God, wouldn’t be deterred. Ironically, by means of a miracle, He simply passed through the angry crowd intent on murder. He went on about His business … proclaiming good news to the poor in spirit, freeing people from the captivity of sin, and opening eyes to see that salvation came only through Him.
Jesus not only came to the people of first century Palestine, but also to people across the world and across the ages. His first sermon was His announcement for everyone that He is the Savior of all mankind. He is the one His Father sent to free His creation from sin and death, to provide eternal life, and to usher in the new creation – a new heaven and a new earth – that will be just as God intended when He created all things in the first place.
As we hear this gospel with 21st century ears, we hear that not only did Jesus came to free the people of Nazareth and Capernaum and other places in the ancient Middle East. He came to free us. He proclaims His good news and liberty to us through His church. Our eyes are opened to His Word, heard in our worship services, bible studies and devotions, and our prayers as we listen to Him. Let us live in His presence each and every day of our lives.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim