Narrative Lectionary, Year Three
January 15, 2017
Lessons: Luke 4:14-30
Theme: God’s faithful and generous folk are called to follow Jesus, in whom scripture has been fulfilled, and to be about the work in this time and in this place of fulfilling of his reign–even when the going gets tough (and it will).
Key Scripture: “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.” 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.” — Luke 4:18-21
Preaching/Teaching Reflection
Do you hear an echo from Advent? Yes, that’s right. We had a part of this lesson during Advent, along with the passage referenced from Isaiah. It’s a hopeful lesson until about verse 24 when Jesus starts to get wound up and confronts the folks who are merely looking for signs and wonders. Yes, the good folk of Nazareth are hearing their hometown rabbinical hero proclaiming with all the power of the Holy Spirit upon 
him. They are literally hearing the scripture being fulfilled, witnessing it before their own eyes. And yet, humans behaving how humans tend to behave, they start to get things wrong.
First they’re amazed and filled with wonder, and they speak well of him, Luke tells us. Then quicker than you can say “Lemony Snicket” they remember that this is just Joseph’s son, a regular Joe, not some Greek God or powerful politico, and certainly not the Messiah. So they turn on him even as he begins to chide them and point out the obvious: they don’t get to define his call or his ministry. It’s way bigger than that. It’s far bigger than the examples Jesus gives from the lives of Elijah and Elisha.
In reading the ancient prophet’s announcement of purpose to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captive people free, Jesus is announcing his purpose, the people to whom he comes, and his intent to make right this world. This is really good news! You would think folks would be jumping up and down and getting ready to join the parade. Yet his own people can’t see it. They turn on him and are ready to kill him. Of course, being God’s son, he easily gives them the slip. After all, these people don’t have vision, can’t see possibility, and are blinded by their rage.
God was up to something with the restoration of the people from captivity, God was up to something through the incarnation of Jesus to set all humankind free, and God is still up to something by anointing us to continue to proclaim this good news today. Our challenge is to listen and hear and be moved to action and faithful discipleship. Our challenge is not so terribly different from the hometown folk of Nazareth. We need to avoid listening to the siren song of popular culture and the false promises of demagogues and any rallying cries that pit us against one another and against the way of Christ.
We, as God’s beloved people today, are part of this epic narrative of redemption and restoration. We have been anointed with the Holy Spirit, set apart, named and claimed in baptism, and equipped to proclaim good news to a hurting world. Because we have encountered the living God in water, Word, wine, and bread we can indeed proclaim this life-giving, life-saving news. We can tell the world that there is hope for the hopeless, liberty for those who are in bondage, grace for the debt-laden, joy for those who mourn and sorrow. In short, there is a place at God’s table for all people. There is room enough for everyone.
However, we had better be ready for resistance to the message. We should expect the journey to get a little hairy and maybe even scary. There is much at stake, and we may be asked to stake our claim on Christ and stand firm in the faith. Importantly, we need to practice telling the story, so that we can share with people why Jesus is worth following, even to death and beyond.
Don’t expect the ordinary from Jesus. Don’t assume that you know where he’s going to call you to go. Expect there will be excitement–both joyous and unsettling. Know you will be called to stretch yourself in new ways, to grow toward the light, and flourish in a manner befitting your 
creation. Trust that God is always with you, and that the gift of the Holy Spirit is yours forever. You are not alone.
Finally, make time for Jesus. Don’t allow yourself to become so harried and hurried that you can’t see your savior, can’t keep your eyes on the prize of your salvation and the gift eternal life. And last, but certainly not least, don’t be stingy. What you have as a beloved child of God can’t run out or be used up. You don’t have to be hoggish and small-minded lest the gospel you seek to bind up slip through grasping fingers as it spreads out over the face of creation to reclaim, restore, and renew it. Thanks be to God!
In Worship
This is a good Sunday to encourage the singing of songs with a theme of justice and mercy. Invite congregants to look in the week to come for ways they see scripture fulfilled in their hearing and seeing. Invite them in worship to talk briefly in paryers to name obstacles and pray for one another to overcome them. Perhaps include a rite of blessing before the sending where worshipers can make the sign of the cross on one another’s forehead before being sent into a world that may be hostile to their message, or even ignore them completely.
With Youth
No prophet is accepted in his hometown, Jesus tells his neighbors in Nazareth who have gathered to hear him read in the synagogue. What modern parallels do you know about? What prophetic voices have faced opposition for the sake of the gospel? Invite each youth to take one “modern prophet” and write a short paragraph or make a short video clip to share in worship or on your congregation’s Facebook page. In doing so, youth will be exposed to God’s beloved, imperfect, and faithful folk, and may begin to find a prophetic voice of their own to seek justice and do acts of mercy.
With Children
Make individual scrolls from dowels and parchment paper and print Luke 4:18-19 on each one. Give one to each child, and tell them that Jesus’ reading of these words served as an announcement of his plan for ministry. We can follow Jesus by bringing good news to the poor, by freeing those who are captive or fleeing persecution, by helping the blind to see, and to let those who are beaten down and suffering oppression go free. Sounds like a tall order for children, right? Never fear. God gifts ALL of God’s children gifts to love, serve, tell, and share. Invite the children to look and listen for Jesus this week and find ways to help neighbors. Finish with a simple prayer.
Weekly Stewardship Bulletin Insert
We are stewards of God’s amazing grace, love, and mercy. This week’s lesson from Luke 4 reminds us that Jesus fulfills prophecy and we, too, are anointed “to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Consider this week how the way you live is pointing others to Jesus. How are you stewarding the gifts of justice and mercy in the name of Christ? What one thing might you do this week to move out of your comfort zone?
Stewardship at Home
Read this week’s lesson (Luke 4:14-30) and talk what blinds us to seeing Jesus all around us, of experiencing the Word fulfilled in our hearing and seeing. Commit to prayer for courage, vision, and a willingness to go wherever Jesus leads you. Think of a group of people with whom you do not feel comfortable. Maybe it’s those experiencing homelessness or those in recovery or neighbors of different faiths. Find one way this week to reach out and serve your neighbor so that you can begin to see them as Jesus does.
Photos: Oregon State University and Irish. Creative Commons License. Thanks!
Note: Reprint rights granted to congregations and other church organizations for local, nonprofit use. Just include this note: “Copyright (c) 2016, Rev. Sharron Blezard. Used by Permission.” Other uses, please inquire: thewritelife@hotmail.com.
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