Luke 4:16-19, 21 And HE came to Nazareth, where HE had been brought up; and HE went to the synagogue, as HIS custom was, on the Sabbath day. And HE stood up to read: and there was given to HIM the book of the prophet Isaiah. HE opened the book and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
. . . .
And HE began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
[Revised Standard translation.]
Summary
Jesus, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, began HIS ministry in Nazareth, the city where HE had lived growing up with Mary and Joseph. HE had been baptized, HE had been tempted in the wilderness and now, HE was returning to Nazareth to proclaim the year of the LORD. HE was GOD’s son. HE, THE FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT were one. HE was the Messiah. HE was ready to spread the good news, but the people of Nazareth were not ready. They couldn’t “see.”
Nazareth lived under Roman rule. Rome had an occupying army. To the people in Nazareth, Rome was in charge. In their eyes, Rome had all the power. The Roman influence was so great and the people were so lacking in vision that the people during the time often “saw” their years, and in essence their lives, as being synonymous and controlled by the people who ruled them. After years of living in exile, and talking about returning to power, it still had not happened, and the people just couldn’t “see” it occurring. The people read the WORD of GOD, but the WORD no longer had meaning for them. They couldn’t see the “life” in the WORD, even when it was standing right in front of them.
Years and periods of time were characterized as “the years and days of Herod Antipas (Herod the Tetrarch),” ruler of Galilee, or the “years and days of Augustus Caesar.” So when Jesus proclaimed that GOD was still in control, that GOD’s ministry on liberation, justice and mercy was still going forward, the people of Nazareth couldn’t “see.” All they saw was “Joseph’s son.” (Verse 22) When Jesus reminded the temple leaders that “faith” and “GOD’s agenda” are not defined by issues of nationality or race or religion, as evident by the healing of Naaman, the leper, a Syrian, and a gentile, no less, and that many Jewish lepers in Israel and around the synagogues had not been healed, the Nazareth temple leaders saw red. This was not what they wanted to hear. So, they pushed Jesus out—out of the temple and out of the city.
So Jesus moved on to another city, Capernaum, another city in Galilee, where the people accepted the authority of GOD’s WORD.
THE YEAR OF THE LORD
The month of January is often a time when people re-group, make resolutions and set goals. It is a time when people look back, in thanks for their many blessings and, in gratitude to GOD, for “how they made it over.” It is also a time when people look forward in faith and hope, trusting GOD.
January is a time for individual goals, such as the following:
A. FOOD/DRINK GOALS
- I will eat raw at least one or two days per week;
- I will forgo salt or reduce my sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams of per day*;
- I will forgo using processed white sugar on my food or give up sugary drinks;
- I will not eat any canned foods, frozen food or any foods with preservatives or chemicals;
- I will eat servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
B. PHYSICAL FITNESS GOALS
- I will walk, jog or run around my block or around some designated area 3 to 5 days a week or
I will perform at least 3-5 chair exercise 3 to 5 days a week; - I will perform at least 4 to 5 stretching exercises at least 3 to 5 days a week;
- I will not watch TV for long periods of time or engage in long sedentary activities without stretching.
C. SPIRITUAL FITNESS GOALS
- I will read at least one book of the Bible (e.g. 1 Samuel, Matthew, Mark, Luke John, Acts, and Romans) over the month of January.
- I will work on memorizing scripture so that I can recite scripture from memory so that if I didn’t have my Bible with me or in a position where I needed to encourage someone else, I would know what to say.
- I will attend a Bible study or commit to Sunday School or regular church attendance and pray
January is also a time to remember that while others may focus on earthly leadership, we must still proclaim that this is still “the acceptable year of the LORD.” So, what does it mean to proclaim “the acceptable year of the Lord?” Let us prayerfully consider some of the following: (a) we can take responsibility for preaching the good news to the poor; (b) we can help those who are oppressed; (c) we can proclaim good physical and spiritual health news; and (d) we can strive for justice and mercy, without regard to race, nationality or religion. We must be GOD’s representatives in our communities, our cities and around the world. To accomplish, we must to set goals that go beyond our individual ones. The following are some possible goals you may want to consider:
- Be a better role model to the youth of my church or place of worship by avoiding sugary sweets or drinks in their presence, encouraging their school efforts, attending one of their events such as a Girl Scout, Boy Scout, musical program, or attend their special school events
- Help with a Bible study, health, nutrition or exercise program at a senior center;
- Make sure that children in every community have healthy food choices and are given educational opportunities;
- Participate in programs and church activities that feed the homeless;
- Participate in programs that strives to end human trafficking;
- Participate in a global mission that helps others, ever mindful of the commission and the duty to teach and preach by example and to be ambassadors for Christ in the world.
- Make sure that my city protects those who are oppressed regardless of their race, nationality or religion.
- Participate in programs and organizations that are dedicated to making sure children around the world are protected from war and violence and receive the highest medical care possible.
- Participate in programs that let the poor in the world know they are not forgotten.
The possibilities of spreading GOD’s good news to others are endless.
“See” THE WORD
One of the lessons of Luke 4 is that it is easy to read scripture. It is another to “see” THE WORD so that we believe THE WORD, live THE WORD, and have the faith to proclaim that it is still the year of the LORD.
So, claim 2017 as the LORD’s year!
And as we strive this year for greater physical and spiritual growth for ourselves, our families, our communities, our cities, and the world, have faith.
Be THE WORD and BE BLESSED!
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*The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that Americans consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day as part of a healthy eating pattern. Most Americans consume more than 3,400 mg per day.
