From the SALT blog. On Epiphany 3, Jesus begins his public ministry as told in Luke’s Gospel.
He has taught in snagogues around Galilee but then he ventures to Nazareth , “where he had been brought up” (Luke 4:16). This is his inaugural preaching as he begins to spread the Gospel. He has it good this week. Luke writes, “He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.” The next week, Epiphany 4 is a different story as he is panned by the hometown crowd.
A recount of his days is in the blog. “As Luke tells it, it’s been quite an up-and-down ride already. Newly baptized, Jesus is singled out by the Holy Spirit appearing as a dove, and a heavenly voice calls Jesus “my child, the beloved” (things are looking up!). The Holy Spirit then promptly leads Jesus into the desert for 40 days of fasting and temptation by the devil (whoops — things are getting rough!). Jesus successfully wards off the devil’s ploys, has some breakfast, and then begins a teaching tour in synagogues all over greater Galilee, to rave reviews.”
The SALT blog cites this important scripture from the Gospel. “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” The past influences the present and the present embodies Jesus’ ideas in scripture.
The scroll of Isaiah – Jesus reads a combination of Isaiah 61:1-2 and 58:6. Even though Isaiah goes back to 800 years before Christ, it is being realized in Jesus time with Jesus words. The words mark Jesus platform. “It’s as if he says: The Spirit of God is upon me, sitting here with you, right here, right now. God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed. And that Great Jubilee you’ve heard about, that long-awaited year of the Lord’s favor? I’m here to tell you: it’s begun! Today — today, in your hearing! — this scripture has been fulfilled!”
For whom is this directed? It is particularly for the lowly, the downtrodden, and the poor. It shouldn’t be only for them. “— it’s also for the health of creation as a whole. Everyone benefits when liberty and wellbeing extend across the entire neighborhood; that’s the heart of “Jubilee.” Accordingly, for Luke, following Jesus isn’t primarily about chasing down our own personal salvation, but rather about serving others,” and “especially those who need it the most.” Jesus actions then can be a model for our ministry today.