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 was just a small village. The people lived under Roman rule. Rome had an occupying army. The Romans collected taxes. Rome was in charge. To the Nazarenes, 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 of liberation, justice and mercy was still going forward, the people of Nazareth couldn’t “see.” All they could see was “Joseph’s son.” (Verse 22) This was not what they wanted to hear. So, they pushed Jesus out-out of the temple and out of the city and out of their lives.
So Jesus moved on to Capernaum, a city which was also 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” as well as a time when people look forward in faith and hope, trusting GOD.
January is a time for making individual goals, such as the following:
A. FOOD/DRINK GOALS
1. I will eat raw at least one or two days or more per week;
2. I will forgo salt or reduce my sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams of per day*;
3. I will forgo using processed white sugar on my food or give up sugary drinks;
4. I will not eat any canned foods, frozen food or any foods with preservatives or chemicals;
5. I will eat servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
6. I will eat mindfully and not just eat mindlessly.
B. PHYSICAL FITNESS GOALS
1. I will walk, jog or run around my block or around some designated area 3 to 5 days a week or
2. I will perform at least 3-5 chair exercise 3 to 5 days a week;
3. I will perform at least 4 to5 stretching exercises at least 3 to 5 days a week;
4. I will take a Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, U-Jam, weights, or other exercise class(es) or engage regularly in other exercise programs that involve aerobics or
stretching.
5. I will stop making excuses and DO some form of exercise 3 days a week.
C. SPIRITUAL FITNESS GOALS
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. I will attend a Bible study, commit to Sunday School, start a home Bible study, or attend church or a GODly worship service regularly.
4. I will find and join a ministry (e.g. choir, usher, Homeless Ministry, Prison Ministry, Evangelistic Ministry, Sunday School, Street Trafficking Ministries,
Prayer Ministries, Save The Children Ministries and efforts), volunteer to assist the poor, visit the sick, help with new membership, volunteer at a
hospital, at places for the elderly, in community schools, or give of my time and talents regularly in other ways consistent with GOD’s WORD.
January is also a time to remember that while others may focus on earthly leadership, earthly shut-outs and shut-downs, we must still proclaim that this is still “the acceptable year of the LORD.” In doing so, we take responsibility for preaching the good news to the poor; helping those who are oppressed; proclaiming good physical and spiritual health news; and striving for justice and mercy, without regard to race, nationality or religion.
We still have to be or become GOD’s representatives in our communities, our cities and around the world.
The possibilities of spreading GOOD NEW and being GOD’s living WORD 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 to others that this is still the year of the LORD.
So, proclaim 2019 as the LORD’s year in your life!
As we strive this year for greater physical and spiritual growth for ourselves, our families, our communities, our cities, America and the world, have faith, and please continue to pray---one for another.
Believe, see “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.
