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. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4 : 20 - 21
Reading for this week : Luke 4: 16-24
Thought for the week
Imagine that one Sunday your local plumber came to preach at St. Peters.
You have heard that strange things had been happening in Norfolk; rumour had it that he had gathered a group of followers recently in a town somewhere further north, but had now come back to Ringland. Apparently he had established quite a reputation as a good speaker.
So everyone was expecting an interesting sermon. What a shock, then, when he read from Isaiah and claimed to be who the writer was talking about! Even to the point of actually being the Son of God who would right all the wrongs of the world.
Well you get the point I am sure. Those folk in Nazareth’s synagogue were shocked and challenged. When Jesus speaks he touches our deepest thoughts and feelings. If we are to grow in faith, love and compassion, we have to learn to be like Him.
On this Bible Sunday be challenged, but also be blessed.
Granville
Prayers for this week
Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen
Prayer before the Reading of Scripture
(inspired by John 20:19-31)
Resurrected God,
though we have hidden ourselves in a locked room
and huddled together as ones who build barriers,
send your Living Word through our locked doors and into our guarded hearts
that we might be witnesses of your grace and couriers of your goodness.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
grant us the trust to believe the Gospel
not because we see it but because we have been seen by it
and transformed through it. Amen.
~ written by Stephen M. Fearing, and posted on Wild and Precious Life
http://stephenmfearing.wordpress.com