Luke 4:14-21 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 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, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘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 favour.’ 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. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
Context: This passage follows Jesus time of temptation in the desert. In Luke's depiction the Spirit has "led" Jesus into this time of testing. The Greek in Luke's passage leaves one with the sense that the Spirit doesn't just leave Jesus to fend for himself but stays with him ... "within" him. After 40 days, Jesus through the power of the Spirit and the Word, has battled "Satan" and emerged without succumbing to hunger ... for food, power, fame. He is now ready to declare himself ready for ministry and he begins by going to his "home" synagogue where he had grown up ... perhaps some of his listeners were even people who had taught him. He was Joseph's son, a part of their "family." Imagine the wide range of the emotions the people are feeling at this point in the story ... wonder, surprise, shock, pride, amazement ...
The original passage from the prophet Isaiah, which seems to be a kind of compilation from the Servant Song, refers to the restoration of Israel after the exile. The year of the Lord's favor in Jesus' declaration is thought to be a reference to the Year of Jubilee decreed by Old Testament law. At this Year of Jubilee, all Israelites who had sold themselves into slavery were set free, and all land that had been sold reverted to its original owner. This meant that no Israelite could ever be in permanent slavery; nor could any Israelite permanently lose his inheritance. Even though Jesus refers to it, there is no proof that the year of Jubilee was ever actually practiced.
Going Deeper ... Pondering ... Praying with Lectio Divina **see the sidebar** Our prayerful reading of Scripture opens the door to a direct relationship with God. Lectio Divina, or sacred reading is designed to cultivate contemplative listening during which we become aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. The process of Lectio Divina is one in which the reader engages the living Word of God. Through the words read reverently and opening God actually speaks to the reader deep within.
Try not to focus too much on the literal or surface meaning of the text.
Step 1: Lectio … Reading/Listening
Read the passage to yourself twice in a slow and reverent manner.
Listen for the word or phrase that catches your attention.
Silently focus on that word or phrase.
Repeat it several times and allow it to sift through your heart and mind.
Step 2: Meditatio … pondering
Continue to focus on your word or phrase.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What images emerge in your imagination?
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you through this word
Listen for God’s reply as you move through your day
Step 3: Oratio … responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention
Consider a plan of action that you feel called to
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires
Step 4: Contempatio … resting
Allow yourself to rest in the silence.
Allow your mind to settle into the silence.
When you feel the time to move on, express your gratitude with a simple “thank you” or “Amen.”
This particular way of engaging in Lectio Divina was derived from Daniel Wolpert's book, Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices ... If you decide to take up the spiritual practice of Lectio Divina I encourage you to try different ways of engaging the text and make the art of Lectio Divina your own within the movements of reading, meditating, praying, and contemplating ...
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