The first was I wondered how I would have reacted if I had been present at this scene. Jesus was back in Nazareth, it was the sabbath day, people were gathered for worship in the synagogue. Jesus stood up to read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah then announced, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Wow — how would I react to that? Even more so, I pondered how I would react if it happened today in a local gathering for worship.
Would I rejoice that a local boy had made good?
Would I think he needed psychiatric treatment?
Would I think, what arrogance, what an upstart — a bit of humility needed here?
And even more salutary — would I become a follower?
Truthfully, if this happened this week, I’m not sure how I would react. Certainly, I would not drop everything to become a follower — at the very best I would want to proceed with a great amount of caution.
Of course, the story in Luke was probably deliberately placed by the author of the gospel to show who Jesus was. It is most likely a later, post-resurrection understanding of Jesus. Nevertheless, it is inserted early in the gospel, and I find it always useful to take a glance at how it would have impacted if it happened in the time frame selected by the author.
On Monday, at the Theology School, the question, which actually forms the title for the semester, was asked to each participant “Who do you say I am?” After a few minutes to think each person answered that question. Some great answers were given, and I could not help but think about them in the light of this passage.
There must have been something magnetic about Jesus that drew the people to him in the moment. Of course, we know the end of the story, ultimately, crucifixion happened — so clearly, not all were happy with this sort of proclamation.
Nevertheless, I think it is something worth pondering for this week —
What was it about Jesus that drew the people to him?
How would each of us react to such a declaration if it was made today?
What would make us leave or homes and families and become a follower?
But that leads me to my second thought which is about the content of the passage quoted from Isaiah. If indeed, the Lukan passage was written post-Easter event, then this is the mandate for the Christ of faith. Our community prayer is that “I may be as Christ . . .”
Therefore, I can look at this passage as a mirror. It reflects the image of Christ, which in turn reflects the aspirations of the community — our aim to be Christlike. (Of course, in saying that, I recognize that none of us will ever entirely make it). Therefore, it is helpful to look at the reflection of the Christ that this passage offers and to ponder how that translates to the twenty-first century.
I see a concern for the poor, release of captives, sight for the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. I wonder, for us together as a community and individually as those seeking to be Christlike, how this concern can be reflected.
First, I have to ask myself — Who are the poor, the captives, the blind and the oppressed in contemporary society?
In a partial answer, I recognize that poverty still abounds in this nation and many other nations of the world. In contemporary society people are held captive to many things, addictions abound. Others are aimless and stumbling around with no real direction. Many are oppressed — women, LGTBQ+, non-white people, non-human animals, the list could be endless.
This can all feel a bit overwhelming especially when thought about on a national or international scale. Much as one would like to, nobody can do everything. Therefore, it is important to recognize that all one can do is to seek to be Christlike in the sphere one operates in — to serve and to be a voice for those in need whenever and wherever possible.
(Photo: Stewart Park, Ithaca NY)
