Word had begun to drift back to his hometown that Jesus was out in the world doing some pretty spectacular things. He showed up in the synagogue and they asked him to read. He thumbed through the scriptures to a passage from Isaiah and he read: “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.” (see Isaiah 61 and Luke 4:16f).
The hometown crowd was so pleased with Jesus. He read so well, with such presence and poise. But then just when they had settled back into their pews Jesus did a really outlandish thing. He said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” At first the people were still thinking kind thoughts and saying nice words, but then the word “today” began to sink in. And then they were not so pleased. In fact, they became furious at him. Who are you to say that today all this will happen? Just who do you think you are, Jesus?
Faith from yesterday is easier than faith today. Faith for someday is, again, easier than faith right here, right now. When faith must be translated into today, as Jesus asks and expects and gives, it can challenge how we want to live our lives.
So, just where is your faith? Is it looking back to the “good old days” or to today? Are you planning on doing some ministry, some mission work for Jesus someday when you get everything else in your life worked out, or now?
Jesus wasn’t very popular when he said “today.” How are you feeling right now about Jesus when he says “today” for your faith and discipleship and life with him? What—today—are you going to do with Jesus, through Jesus, for Jesus?
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