Luke 4 (NRSV)
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18
“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 set free those who are oppressed,
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to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
The Spirit of God restores the disenfranchised to full citizenship.
Here are some questions for reflection:
1. How might our “separated self” be in conflict with that form of our self that was created in God’s image? In what ways do you see separation manifested in your community? Your social groups? Your family? Your own life? What are the causes of this separation? What are some ways to replace separation with connection?
2. How do you think the people in the synagogue felt when Jesus said “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled? How do you think it did and still does challenge their/our understanding of Jesus’ mission and purpose?
3. We are called to be servants. How might the notion of treating others like they are created in God’s image help to highlight the importance of being a servant?
4. In what ways do we see a contrast between the Pax Romana, a peace through power and retribution, and shalom: a peace through citizenship in the Reign of God?
5. How can we best observe the year of Jubilee in the world we live in today? What can we do on a personal level as well as on a larger community wide scale?
6. Jesus has saved our souls and has restored us to full citizenship yet we must be bold enough to follow. What actions might embody that boldness? What can we do to encourage and serve those in need, so that they too may be bold enough to follow Jesus into His kingdom?
7. Who in your community needs an advocate today? How can you be part of bringing hope and justice?
8. Trey emphasizes that Jesus’ ministry was “also”: Also physical release as well as spiritual release. Also physical feeding along with spiritual feeding. Also physical comfort as well as spiritual comfort. Does that contrast with your own experiences and understandings?
If you’d like to dig a little deeper, consider the following:
1. Compare and contrast what Trey says about the commitment of God to wholeness and the release from the captivity of separation with what some versions of Western Christianity have taught about the “Gospel” message. How do they differ? How might the results of these two ways of thinking about wholeness and release achieve different results?
2. How might people experiencing affliction understand the Gospel differently than those who dwell in comfort? Are there any ways to reconcile any of these differences in light of Luke 4:16-21
3. What can we do differently to more fully embrace the liberation and wholeness that Jesus offers to us?
4. What holds back the Church from looking enough like Jesus that others see Jesus in the Church?
5. Jesus boldly claims His identity and purpose in the synagogue. How confident are you in your God-given purpose? What might be holding you back from walking fully into it?
6. We are called to follow Jesus in our daily life. In light of this scripture, how can we obediently participate in Jesus’ mission today?
7. Jesus speaks about bringing justice to the poor and oppressed (Luke 4:18). How does this connect with Paul’s teaching that the whole law is summed up in love (Galatians 5:14)?
8. Have you ever faced opposition or rejection for standing up for what is right as Jesus later does in this chapter? How did you handle it, and what did you learn?