“Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”  (Luke 4:21)

Jesus has gone home.  He has the chance to see His momma and take a moment to get prepared for the mission ahead.  For the next three years, He’s going to be traveling a lot, and may not have the chance to pass this way again.

Back in Jesus’ days, every family of each Jewish township takes turns reading scriptures.  When Jesus returns from being in the wilderness, the week or so He is home, it happens that it is His family’s turn to do the reading in the synagogue.  He reads from Isaiah and talks about what actually is His mission: “to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

He ends the reading by saying the quoted passage listed at the top of this page.

It’s my understanding that when you read in the synagogue, you stand.  But after you have read, you then sit down (which Jesus does, vs. 20).  When the reading is finished, the person who has sat down is allowed to expand upon the reading.  Jesus expounds on the reading with this one sentence.

Jesus is just that for Christians.  He is the fulfillment of everything needed and necessary for this life and the life to come.  By putting our trust in Him, we receive these amazing, undeserved gifts from God.  It’s all a part of divine grace.  Live out your faith:  take time this week to celebrate the fact of such a gift.

God bless you all.  God fulfills all that is needful through His Son, Jesus.  Remember that He loves you very much – always has – and, so do we!

Pastor Jim

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Update:  Marjene Chapman continues to go to therapy twice a week and does much therapy on her own at home every day.  She is making great progress, and appreciates all the prayers, notes, and cards you have sent to her.  We don’t know yet when she will be able to return, but we are grateful for her healing.  Our thanks continue for Joni Cannon, Marsha Peters, Deb Soike, and Phoebe Sand for serving in the office each week!  They are all blessings to the staff!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 – Workshops for Worship: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Acolytes and Crucifers; 1:30-2:30 p.m. – Communion Assistants; 2:30-3:30 p.m. Ushers.  All are welcome!