Fulfilled

“He began by saying to them, ‘Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.’” – Luke 4:21 CSB

In this astounding scene, Jesus Himself attends a synagogue in Nazareth. He has the privilege of being the one to read from the Scroll and He reads a passage from Isaiah. This passage is about the Messiah who would be anointed to “preach good news” and to “set free the oppressed.” Jesus then does what was customary: he rolls the scroll, gives it back, sits, and begins to teach. What no one could predict is what he teaches about this passage: it is being fulfilled before their very eyes.

This is a theme throughout the Gospel of Luke that will be echoed in Luke 24 when the eyes of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus are opened to understand in Whose presence they’ve been. Aside from these clear indicators of Luke’s claim for Who Jesus is – the Messiah Son of God Who was crucified, buried, and raised for the forgiveness of sins – we have an added bonus. From both the scene in Nazareth in chapter 4 and the road to Emmaus and upper room passages in chapter 24, we find much of what we need to know for Biblical preaching and teaching as Jesus Himself models it: read the text, explain the text, apply the text to the hearers, and point to Jesus.

Prayer

“Father, thank you for sending your Son and modeling the teaching that is necessary to bring truth to the ears of the hearers. I pray Your Spirit would bring life to their hearts. As I read, study, and share Your Word, help me to see Jesus clearly. Amen.”