Chosen

Then Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath he went as usual to the synagogue. He stood up to read the Scriptures and was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written, ‘The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.’ (verses 16-18a)

Read Luke 4:14-30

‘And the winner is . . . Syd-e-ney!’ This announcement by Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee, led to wild celebrating in Australia. Sydney had been chosen to host the Olympic Games in 2000.

When Jesus reads from the Scriptures and preaches in the synagogue in Nazareth, he makes an exciting announcement: ‘This passage of scripture has come true today’. Isaiah had spoken about someone chosen by God to be the people’s saviour, healer, and deliverer. Jesus says, ‘These words are about me. I’m the one that God has chosen. I’m the one he has sent to bring you good news.’

You have something to celebrate. Jesus is the one specially chosen by God for your benefit: to bring you good news, to proclaim liberty to you and recovery of your sight, to set you free, to announce that the time has come for God to save you.

Celebrate the coming of God’s chosen one. Look to him to be your liberator.

Jesus, please keep coming to me with your gift of good news, liberty, freedom and salvation. Amen.

by John Pfitzner, in ‘God’s Promises for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1999)

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