Epiphany
January 23, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 4:14-21

When 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, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘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 4:16-21

I wonder at what point Jesus felt compelled to walk into the synagogue and read the scripture about the coming of one to save his people from oppression? Did it gnaw at him for months or even years? Was the impetus planted when he was twelve and went to the temple the first time? Was there a straw that broke the camel’s back as with Moses when he saw the Egyptian murder the Hebrew slave? What had Jesus seen or heard that told him now is the time? Was there a message from God that said, “Go now”?

If timing is everything, is it time for God’s justice to prevail in this land and around the world? Is the oppression in our own land visible enough now that we can no longer set back, click our tongues, and say, “Isn’t it a shame” or more probably, “Somebody should do something about that”?

The timing was ripe for Jesus on the day he stepped up and read that scripture. We are all called to do justice. Where are we on the timeline to answer that call?

Prayer: Lord, I see injustice all around, plant your fire in my heart to answer your call to do justice, as the time is now. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.