Luke 1:1-14;4:14-21 (Sermon for the week of January 21st)
(Saint Luke)
Gospel
Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
SERMON:
This week's reading grants me the opportunity to reflect on Luke...who he was and why he started his Gospel the way he did.
Luke was not one of the 12 Apostles, but heard the account of Jesus from a few of the actual 12 Apostles and was the personal companion to Paul. Paul wrote 2/3 of what is now in our New Testament. Luke provides certain insight that no other book of the New Testament has. Luke's inspiration and information for his Gospel and Acts came from his close association with Paul and his companions as he explains in his introduction to the Gospel. He re-arranges certain events in order to place emphasis that he felt the other Gospels told in a different sense. That is what makes the Gospels unique. They are the same story told by different witnesses. Matthew and John are eyewitness testimony written down but compiled together at a later time. Luke writes these accounts down himself, intact, and together but highlights events that are briefly touched on in the other Gospels. Luke's unique perspective on Jesus can be seen in the six miracles and eighteen parables not found in the other gospels. Luke's is the gospel of the poor and of social justice. He is the one who tells the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man who ignored him.
For people who doubt that the writings of the New Testament have some how been corrupted by the Roman Catholic Church or some other "group" with a hidden agenda...how could anyone doubt the cohesion and power that comes from reading the Gospels? Surely, man cannot create a spiritual experience that comes from closely studying the Scriptures?! Since men wrote the words, they fulfilled the Will of God. As Jesus says:
"Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Mark 13:30-31)
Luke is a historian...and a physician. Most importantly, Luke was a witness to the testimony of the Apostles...and a witness to the life of Paul...who was the last "chosen Apostle" of Jesus Christ. Remember that Paul conversed with the Lord AFTER the ascension. As we read in one source, "Luke had a great knowledge of the Septuagint and of things Jewish, which he acquired either as a Jewish proselyte (St. Jerome) or after he became a Christian, through his close association with the Apostles and disciples.It is worthy of note that, in the three places where he is mentioned in the Epistles (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11) he is named with Mark (cf. Colossians 4:10), the other Evangelist who was not an Apostle (Plummer), and it is clear from his Gospel that he was well acquainted with the Gospel according to Mark; and in the Acts he knows all the details of Peter's delivery--what happened at the house of Mark's mother, and the name of the girl who ran to the outer door when Peter knocked. He must have frequently met Peter, and may have assisted him to draw up his First Epistle in Greek, which affords many reminiscences of Luke's style. "
Now with this in mind we have a new insight into the beginning of this weeks reading. Let's re-read it again...
"Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received."
Now let's break the rest of the reading down...
"Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all."
"Jesus returned to Galilee"
Again, Galilee is significant because of it's insignificance. Jesus was not born in the center of Jewish life which was Jerusalem...He was born in an insignificant town, and grew up in Galilee, and insignificant town. Many Gentiles lived in Galilee and Luke will write that the women who observe Jesus' crucifixion are from Galilee. Jesus is accepted in an insignificant town that has a large Gentile population, and not accepted in Jerusalem...which has a dominate Jewish population.
"in the power of the Spirit"
Luke emphasizes that Jesus and His ministry are not of man but of the Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus during His baptism. The Holy Spirit is with Jesus every step of the way. Jesus is born into flesh but is of the Holy Spirit. Two in one fleshly body...all works and words of Jesus are of the Spirit.
"and news of Him spread throughout the whole region"
There is a reason why news is spreading. It is because the Messiah has been born and is proving who He is!
"He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all"
Jewish worship takes place in the Temples and teaching, prayers, and readings take place in the synagogues. We do not know what Jesus taught them...only if I was there to hear it!
"He came to Nazareth, where He had grown up"
Jesus was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth. Matthew tells us that as a young adult Jesus moves to Capernaum (Matt 4:13)
"and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day"
Who's custom? HIS CUSTOM! Who is the one who gave the Jews the Sabbath? It was Jesus who was the voice who spoke to them before he came to live in a tent of flesh. It is His command and His Sabbath. He observes what He has commanded.
"He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah."
Synagogue worship would have followed a format. A reading from the Torah followed by an explanation, then a reading from the prophets followed by an explanation. The president of the synagogue invites someone to comment on the scriptures. The question people will wait to answer is if the selected commenter will know what they are talking about. People would wait to see if someone would jump up and correct them when they were off course. When Jesus speaks...it is with an authority that no one wants to challenge...I wonder why!
"He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,"
Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2 but omits 61:2b which speaks of the "day of vengeance of our God". His commentary focuses this time on salvation and He choose not to mention the Judgement. This is emphasizing a two stage action...salvation now, judgement later.
"because he has anointed me"
Jesus was anointed at his baptism by the Spirit when the Spirit descended upon Him. He was not anointed with oil, but with the Holy Spirit. A King of Kings...the Messiah. Jesus is the successor to King David.
"to bring glad tidings to the poor"
Who are the "poor" in this verse? The economically or the spiritually poor? Answer is both. All people who are economically or spiritually impoverished have the ability to receive Grace. Jesus' ministry is centered around the poor, the captive, blind, oppressed, and possessed. He is here to help, and will help, and does help...if one is open to receiving His Grace. These glad tidings are the miracles of Grace that are available to those who believe in Him. Everyone, be it Jew, Gentile, or heathen (and this means everyone in the world) can receive His Grace...period.
"He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives"
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus' first miracle is the cleansing of a man possessed, yes I said possessed, by a demon. Jesus can and does release those who's hearts believe from the worst kind of pain and dark despair. Being possessed by a demon is the worst despair you could be in. The power to release demons comes from the Creator...and that Creator is Jesus! Do you know of anyone else that can claim to do this? Have you ever been in the presence of a demon?
"and recovery of sight to the blind,"
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus will restore sight of blind people and will tell the egotistical and prideful to invite the poor, crippled, and blind to their dinner tables. This verse is also talking about those who are spiritually blind, (ex. atheists). This is the meaning of this verse...Jesus restores sight to those who are spiritually blind and Luke will emphasize this in Acts 26:18...(all you atheists open your heart and ears now!) "To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by FAITH in me".
Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
SERMON:
This week's reading grants me the opportunity to reflect on Luke...who he was and why he started his Gospel the way he did.
Luke was not one of the 12 Apostles, but heard the account of Jesus from a few of the actual 12 Apostles and was the personal companion to Paul. Paul wrote 2/3 of what is now in our New Testament. Luke provides certain insight that no other book of the New Testament has. Luke's inspiration and information for his Gospel and Acts came from his close association with Paul and his companions as he explains in his introduction to the Gospel. He re-arranges certain events in order to place emphasis that he felt the other Gospels told in a different sense. That is what makes the Gospels unique. They are the same story told by different witnesses. Matthew and John are eyewitness testimony written down but compiled together at a later time. Luke writes these accounts down himself, intact, and together but highlights events that are briefly touched on in the other Gospels. Luke's unique perspective on Jesus can be seen in the six miracles and eighteen parables not found in the other gospels. Luke's is the gospel of the poor and of social justice. He is the one who tells the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man who ignored him.
For people who doubt that the writings of the New Testament have some how been corrupted by the Roman Catholic Church or some other "group" with a hidden agenda...how could anyone doubt the cohesion and power that comes from reading the Gospels? Surely, man cannot create a spiritual experience that comes from closely studying the Scriptures?! Since men wrote the words, they fulfilled the Will of God. As Jesus says:
"Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Mark 13:30-31)
Luke is a historian...and a physician. Most importantly, Luke was a witness to the testimony of the Apostles...and a witness to the life of Paul...who was the last "chosen Apostle" of Jesus Christ. Remember that Paul conversed with the Lord AFTER the ascension. As we read in one source, "Luke had a great knowledge of the Septuagint and of things Jewish, which he acquired either as a Jewish proselyte (St. Jerome) or after he became a Christian, through his close association with the Apostles and disciples.It is worthy of note that, in the three places where he is mentioned in the Epistles (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11) he is named with Mark (cf. Colossians 4:10), the other Evangelist who was not an Apostle (Plummer), and it is clear from his Gospel that he was well acquainted with the Gospel according to Mark; and in the Acts he knows all the details of Peter's delivery--what happened at the house of Mark's mother, and the name of the girl who ran to the outer door when Peter knocked. He must have frequently met Peter, and may have assisted him to draw up his First Epistle in Greek, which affords many reminiscences of Luke's style. "
Now with this in mind we have a new insight into the beginning of this weeks reading. Let's re-read it again...
"Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received."
Now let's break the rest of the reading down...
"Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all."
"Jesus returned to Galilee"
Again, Galilee is significant because of it's insignificance. Jesus was not born in the center of Jewish life which was Jerusalem...He was born in an insignificant town, and grew up in Galilee, and insignificant town. Many Gentiles lived in Galilee and Luke will write that the women who observe Jesus' crucifixion are from Galilee. Jesus is accepted in an insignificant town that has a large Gentile population, and not accepted in Jerusalem...which has a dominate Jewish population.
"in the power of the Spirit"
Luke emphasizes that Jesus and His ministry are not of man but of the Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus during His baptism. The Holy Spirit is with Jesus every step of the way. Jesus is born into flesh but is of the Holy Spirit. Two in one fleshly body...all works and words of Jesus are of the Spirit.
"and news of Him spread throughout the whole region"
There is a reason why news is spreading. It is because the Messiah has been born and is proving who He is!
"He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all"
Jewish worship takes place in the Temples and teaching, prayers, and readings take place in the synagogues. We do not know what Jesus taught them...only if I was there to hear it!
"He came to Nazareth, where He had grown up"
Jesus was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth. Matthew tells us that as a young adult Jesus moves to Capernaum (Matt 4:13)
"and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day"
Who's custom? HIS CUSTOM! Who is the one who gave the Jews the Sabbath? It was Jesus who was the voice who spoke to them before he came to live in a tent of flesh. It is His command and His Sabbath. He observes what He has commanded.
"He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah."
Synagogue worship would have followed a format. A reading from the Torah followed by an explanation, then a reading from the prophets followed by an explanation. The president of the synagogue invites someone to comment on the scriptures. The question people will wait to answer is if the selected commenter will know what they are talking about. People would wait to see if someone would jump up and correct them when they were off course. When Jesus speaks...it is with an authority that no one wants to challenge...I wonder why!
"He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,"
Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2 but omits 61:2b which speaks of the "day of vengeance of our God". His commentary focuses this time on salvation and He choose not to mention the Judgement. This is emphasizing a two stage action...salvation now, judgement later.
"because he has anointed me"
Jesus was anointed at his baptism by the Spirit when the Spirit descended upon Him. He was not anointed with oil, but with the Holy Spirit. A King of Kings...the Messiah. Jesus is the successor to King David.
"to bring glad tidings to the poor"
Who are the "poor" in this verse? The economically or the spiritually poor? Answer is both. All people who are economically or spiritually impoverished have the ability to receive Grace. Jesus' ministry is centered around the poor, the captive, blind, oppressed, and possessed. He is here to help, and will help, and does help...if one is open to receiving His Grace. These glad tidings are the miracles of Grace that are available to those who believe in Him. Everyone, be it Jew, Gentile, or heathen (and this means everyone in the world) can receive His Grace...period.
"He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives"
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus' first miracle is the cleansing of a man possessed, yes I said possessed, by a demon. Jesus can and does release those who's hearts believe from the worst kind of pain and dark despair. Being possessed by a demon is the worst despair you could be in. The power to release demons comes from the Creator...and that Creator is Jesus! Do you know of anyone else that can claim to do this? Have you ever been in the presence of a demon?
"and recovery of sight to the blind,"
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus will restore sight of blind people and will tell the egotistical and prideful to invite the poor, crippled, and blind to their dinner tables. This verse is also talking about those who are spiritually blind, (ex. atheists). This is the meaning of this verse...Jesus restores sight to those who are spiritually blind and Luke will emphasize this in Acts 26:18...(all you atheists open your heart and ears now!) "To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by FAITH in me".
Continuing on with this week's reading...
"to let the oppressed go free"
There is nothing like freedom. To be oppressed is horrible. Freedom is truly appreciated by those who were oppressed at one time and then set free. Freedom is often taken for granted by those who were never oppressed. Most of us, as Christians, realized at some point in our faith the reality of the spiritual oppression we had. The Good News of Salvation through faith in Christ is one climatic point we reach...the feeling of being truly free! Free from the clutches of death! Free from the guilt of sin! Free to fulfill the Good Works we have come to realize are set for us to do. We still sin and we are aware of our shortcomings by repentance in order to realign ourselves by the direction and guidance of the One who set us free...Jesus the Christ.
"and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord."
What does this verse mean? THE MESSIAH IS HERE! CHRIST HAS COME! THE PROPHECIES WILL AND HAVE BEEN FULFILLED! REJOICE IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE YEAR THAT OUR LORD WAS BORN!!!
"Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,"
In the synagogue, you stand to read the scriptures and you sit to teach.
"and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him."
What a sight this must have been to see the Messiah physically in front of you! Surely, we do not have this opportunity...but I know I would be looking intently!
"He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Today is not yesterday and today is not someday. It is now...present time. Notice Jesus never uses the words yesterday or someday. Jesus proclaims the Truth..the wait is over...THAT day has come...the prophecies are and were fulfilled...salvation is here. We are tools of His hands today...we have predestined opportunities to fulfill by bringing the Good News to the poor, helping the oppressed, helping those inflicted with disease and deformities, exorcising demons, and helping the "blind" recover their spiritual (or physical) sight through Him. These things are being fulfilled today as they were in the past...as His Sheep...the tools we need to help are at our disposal backed by the Real and Awesome power of the Lord.
Poverty, captivity, and blindness have two meanings...one physical and one spiritual. It is troublesome to have an empty wallet but it is worse to have an empty soul. Physical captivity is really bad, but being captive to drugs or alcohol is worse. Not being able to see is horrible, but being lost spiritually is REALLY horrible! Helen Keller was blind from infancy, but her words and actions demonstrated a clear spiritual sight...
"Once I knew only darkness and stillness...my life was without past or future...but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living. Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." (Helen Keller)
God Bless you and your families this week.
"to let the oppressed go free"
There is nothing like freedom. To be oppressed is horrible. Freedom is truly appreciated by those who were oppressed at one time and then set free. Freedom is often taken for granted by those who were never oppressed. Most of us, as Christians, realized at some point in our faith the reality of the spiritual oppression we had. The Good News of Salvation through faith in Christ is one climatic point we reach...the feeling of being truly free! Free from the clutches of death! Free from the guilt of sin! Free to fulfill the Good Works we have come to realize are set for us to do. We still sin and we are aware of our shortcomings by repentance in order to realign ourselves by the direction and guidance of the One who set us free...Jesus the Christ.
"and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord."
What does this verse mean? THE MESSIAH IS HERE! CHRIST HAS COME! THE PROPHECIES WILL AND HAVE BEEN FULFILLED! REJOICE IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE YEAR THAT OUR LORD WAS BORN!!!
"Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,"
In the synagogue, you stand to read the scriptures and you sit to teach.
"and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him."
What a sight this must have been to see the Messiah physically in front of you! Surely, we do not have this opportunity...but I know I would be looking intently!
"He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Today is not yesterday and today is not someday. It is now...present time. Notice Jesus never uses the words yesterday or someday. Jesus proclaims the Truth..the wait is over...THAT day has come...the prophecies are and were fulfilled...salvation is here. We are tools of His hands today...we have predestined opportunities to fulfill by bringing the Good News to the poor, helping the oppressed, helping those inflicted with disease and deformities, exorcising demons, and helping the "blind" recover their spiritual (or physical) sight through Him. These things are being fulfilled today as they were in the past...as His Sheep...the tools we need to help are at our disposal backed by the Real and Awesome power of the Lord.
Poverty, captivity, and blindness have two meanings...one physical and one spiritual. It is troublesome to have an empty wallet but it is worse to have an empty soul. Physical captivity is really bad, but being captive to drugs or alcohol is worse. Not being able to see is horrible, but being lost spiritually is REALLY horrible! Helen Keller was blind from infancy, but her words and actions demonstrated a clear spiritual sight...
"Once I knew only darkness and stillness...my life was without past or future...but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living. Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." (Helen Keller)
God Bless you and your families this week.
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