by Rick Morley
There is no shortage of commentary on this passage, oftentimes known as the “Nazareth Inaugural.” In some ways it’s become the manifesto of mainline Christianity. I remember my days in seminary hearing this passage almost monthly.
Personally, I love the drama of the scene. Jesus comes home. He goes to His home worshipping community, as He must have done countless times as a young one. He’s handed the scroll. He opens the scroll to just the right place. He reads. He hands it back to the attendant. He sits down.
Everyone stares at Him waiting for what is to come next. There’s an intensity here, even beyond the words from Isaiah. Jesus is on a mission, but the people of His hometown are also expecting something.
Who knows what they were expecting? He hadn’t done a whole lot yet—we’re still only in the fourth chapter of Luke. He’s been baptized, He’s gone into the wilderness, and He’s just begun His ministry. We’re told in the paragraph just prior to this story that “report about Him spread through all the surrounding country,” but we aren’t told what that report consisted of.
My guess is that the people were expecting something, but they had no idea what that something was. In this sense, is the congregation in Nazareth all that different from our own congregations?
Don’t we all go to church expecting something? But, do any of us really take the time to articulate what that something is?
Some, I suppose, expect to hear a good sermon. Not too long, not too short. Some expect to sing a nice (i.e. familiar) hymn or song. Some expect to be welcomed, and to see people we know. We expect when it’s all over that we’ll have a cup of coffee.
But, how many of us go to church really expecting the Spirit of God to actually show up? Do we expect news so good that it might shatter the despair of the poor? Do we expect release, recovery, and the ending of oppression?
And, do we really want all of that to begin with—and would we rather just receive a little comfort, a little encouragement, and nothing that will rock the boat?
In any case, the people of Nazareth weren’t ready for the anointing presence of the Holy Spirit to come in with their small-town-boy-made-good when they got up that morning for synagogue. After He makes his little declaration that the prophesy of Isaiah had come to fulfillment in their presence—think about that!—they got angry and sent Him packing.
It does make you wonder about the phenomenon of expectation, and what it means in the life of faith. Do we go to church looking to fulfill our own (oftentimes paltry, self-centered) expectations?
Or, do we come ready and open to see God’s expectations manifest themselves before our very eyes?
Upcoming Events
Sunday, 1/23:
10:30 a.m.: Worship Service with communion
Saturday, 1/29:
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Session Retreat
Sunday, 1/30:
10:30 a.m.: Worship Service & Congregational Meeting
Please Turn in Your Pledges!
Our treasurer has informed us that we are behind on our pledges for 2022. If you have not yet turned in your pledges, we urge you to do so! You can bring them to the office during the week between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
2022 Directory Update
We're looking for your information for the 2022 Directory! Please check your listing in the current directory, and if you have any updates, contact Brittany at 419-447-2004 or at secretaryfpctiffin@gmail.com!
Service Update
We will continue to meet in person for worship and broadcast our services online, knowing that Seneca County is stressing caution for those who gather in groups. If you cannot worship with us on Facebook Sunday morning, you may also watch the service on our web page, www.fpctiffin.org during the week.
Newsletter
We're already looking ahead to February! If you have any updates you'd like included in the February newsletter, contact Brittany at 419-447-2004 or at secretaryfpctiffin@gmail.com!