December 28, 2022

Luke 4: 16-21 (NIV)

. . . and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it he found the place where it is written: . . . [Isaiah 61: 1, 2] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

We see ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word.*

This passage of scripture tells a very dramatic story. The regulars at the neighborhood synagogue were familiar with Jesus because it was his custom to hang out there with them on the Sabbath. I doubt if this was the first time he had been handed a scroll which he proceeded to read. That’s what you did in the synagogue on the Sabbath. But this time, after reading the sacred text, Jesus announced that the prophecy was about him. At first, his listeners were merely amazed (verse 22) and murmured among themselves. But then Jesus said, “I tell you the truth . . .” and he continued to deliver such an inflammatory message that his furious audience dragged him out to the edge of town, intending to throw him over a cliff – but somehow, miraculously, “he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” (verse 30)

The writer of an article about this passage posed the question (and the answer): “What did Jesus find in the ancient text? He found himself there.”* So, I ask you: Have you ever found yourself in the Bible? Unlike Jesus, you won’t find prophecy that points directly to you, but if you get into the word, you can find yourself already there. Every situation, every crisis, every decision you face is covered.

Finding yourself in scripture will probably not generate the kind of drama that resulted from Jesus’ experience, but I can testify that it can produce some thrilling moments on a personal level. There is no excitement like a successful search for answers in the Bible. Of course, if you want to find yourself in the word, you are going to have to unroll that scroll and read.

The only spiritual contact that we have with God is through His word. . . . He does not communicate with us, as regards His will, independently thereof.*