Luke 4:14-21
14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16When 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, 17and 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 let the oppressed go free, 19 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.”
"Today"
After His Baptism and victory over the evil one’s temptations, "filled with the power of the Holy Spirit” (v 14) Jesus returns to His own town of Nazareth.
Nazareth in Galilee, was a small village of about four hundred inhabitants. Jesus grew up there and was known as the "son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know” John 6:42.
According to His custom, He joins Saturday worship at the Synagogue and is given the Holy Bible to choose and read the last reading of that week. Jesus opens the scroll to Isaiah 61:1-2a and skips verse 2b, dealing with vengeance.
The chosen verses refer to a Jubilee Year, which was celebrated every fifty years. It was and remains significant for the people of Israel. These days it is celebrated every 25 years, and this year of 2025 is a Jubilee Year for many churches. It reminds us of:
Israel’s exodus from Egypt, and from servitude into liberty.
Liberation of every individual and of the whole nation.
To Repent and forgive.
Having hope to reach a promised land.
The land belongs to God.
To rest and replenish the land by letting it be idle from agricultural use for one year.
God's hand creating hope and salvation.
Commitment of the whole nation and of individuals to emulate God's free gifts with each other: redeem the slave; free the prisoner; forgive debt; relieve the land...
Ending the reading, Jesus closes the scroll, sits down as teachers were doing, and starts to give His first preaching in Galilee, confirming both His divine identity and His mission.
His message to His co-citizen is clear, you know me as Jesus today. Know that I am the Messiah. You know me as son of man today. I am the Son of God and the son of man. The Spirit of God is upon me. He sent me to achieve the mission which was proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah: redeem and save.
Today is a new beginning that will have no end, yesterday has gone, tomorrow belongs to God. Today you are to respond to God's gifts and ordinances. We are invited to listen to Jesus Christ today, to follow Him today and to practice our faith with trust, commitment and contentment today.
With Jesus every day could be a Jubilee day.
Happy are those who try their best to be His disciples today, witnessing for Him as Son of God and son of man.
