On Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, we will read from the Gospel according to Luke. Our Scripture lesson this week is one of the first mentions of Jesus' public ministry in Luke's Gospel account, and we already find controversy from proclaiming God's radical love. We will explore the story of Jesus as he encounters the people of his hometown, and how our experiences in life can create boundaries in our hearts and minds to receiving God's Word.
Our Scripture passage is found in the Gospel according to Luke. You may find the Scripture lesson by selecting the following link: (Luke 4:21-30).
For continuing study, reflect on these questions (found in the study guide below):
Read the assigned Scripture for this week: what words or phrases caught your attention? Were you surprised how quickly the crowd turned from "amazed" to "enraged?"
After reading the "WHAT..." paragraph in the guide below, reflect on the following questions: at what point did the "hometown crowd" get upset with Jesus? Why do you think they reacted as they did? How do you imagine they would have reacted differently if they were able to do as the author states at the end of the paragraph: "the fulfillment of Scripture is also liberating to those who are able to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and model his example..."
After reading the "WHERE..." paragraph below, reflect on the author's statement that "God is unfolding new narratives all the time, with or without us...and God gives us opportunity to respond." Reflect on the "new narratives" present in your life, and imagine some possibilities of how you might respond; and what might happen if you choose to not respond.
After reading the "SO WHAT..." paragraph below, reflect on the author's first two sentences: "Change is a dynamic that is most unsettling and is usually resisted in preference for the old, the familiar, and the routine. Jesus' audience opts precisely for this choice." Reflect on respond to the idea that "change is unsettling" and give some thought to how you respond to change in your life. How can we better "see God" in the changes that are constantly present in our lives?
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