Isaiah 61 today. I’ll never be able to read it without turning to Luke 4. Jesus returns from the wilderness of temptation in the power of the Spirit (that’ll preach right there) and heads to Nazareth where he grew up. Enters synagogue as usual on the Sabbath. Stood up to read.

Now, several practices would’ve already taken place in the order of synagogue service by this time. The congregation would’ve recited the Shema then a set of prayers including the 18 Benedictions. Someone then would’ve read from the Torah (the Law) in Hebrew translated to Aramaic

THEN would’ve come a reading from the Prophets followed by an exposition ordinarily connecting that day’s section from the Law & Prophets. This is where Jesus takes center stage. He’s standing, as was the practice for the reading. Scroll of Isaiah is handed to him. He unrolls it

until he gets to the exact location he’s looking for. Then his voice reverberates words straight out of Isaiah 61 with a taste of 58. The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release for the captives...

and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord‘s favor.” I really love this part: He then rolled up the scroll (I like to imagine that it made a fabulous sound like a metal tape measure rolling back up but it likely didn’t, lol)

He then hands the scroll back to the attendant & sits down. THIS is where the exposition of the readings occurred in the order of service. Every gaze is on him. And there, right before their very eyes, God sat. The Word made flesh, seated right in front of them. Glory incarnate.

And he says, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
In other words, “You want exposition?? I’ll give you exposition. I, raised among you, am what I just read to you. This day in Nazareth, let it be known, Messiah prophesied by Isaiah, has been exposed to you.”

They end up trying to throw him over a cliff. But it was like, not today Satan. Anyway, I just love the whole scene. I love Jesus. He still mesmerizes me. There is only one Jesus. And it’s always made people mad that he was exactly who he claims to be. And that only he is he.

He’s seated even right this moment. Seated at the right hand of God, ever living to make intercession for us.
Messiah among us.
For us.
With us.
And for those to whom he is Lord, his very Spirit is IN us.

We’ll be alright.
Happy Monday, y’all.