It's Me

It's Me 
What is something good that has happened to you today? Do you look to the future and see it as positive, or negative?
What is something that is a reality now, that no one would have believed could be possible 100 years ago?
 
In chapter 4 of Luke, we read an interesting and very significant encounter that Jesus had when He went to the temple. It was customary to invite a guest (Jesus) to do the appointed scripture reading for the day which was from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Jesus read:
         “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  (Luke 4:18-19)

Here in these two short verses, Jesus addresses four ways people experience trouble:  poverty, imprisonment, blindness, and oppression. He finishes with the announcement of good news that would be understood by those listening, as something the coming Messiah would do. What are they to think of Jesus’ message?

In dramatic form, the action continues:
        "Then [Jesus] rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, 'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'”

What was Jesus saying? We may not catch the significance of it but to those present who were familiar with the Jewish faith and tradition, the message from Jesus was clear, “It's Me! I am the expected Messiah. This prophecy is unfolding right before your eyes.”
This message was startling, and the people were furious! How dare He? He could have “Wowed” them with a miracle, but the power of God’s word is all we need to spur us to action and reach out in love to those we encounter.