by Mike Bussey, Board Chair with Friends of the Jerusalem International YMCA
Having lived and worked in Nazareth for two years as a YMCA World Service worker, I often worshiped in Jesus’ home synagogue.
It’s easy for me to reflect on what it must have been like in Nazareth when Jesus returned home following an extraordinary series of events in his life and new ministry.
Just months before, he had been baptized in the Jordan River, the heavens had opened, the Holy Spirit had descended on him, and he heard his Father’s voice say, ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased.’
He was then led by the Holy Spirit into the Judean Wilderness where he endured forty days of fasting, prayer, and temptations, and then on to Galilee to begin His public ministry.
News of his preaching and miracles spread throughout the region.
During all that was happening, Jesus must have looked forward to returning to his hometown to rest and for the opportunity to worship in His home synagogue.
As it turned out, the joy of returning to Nazareth soon turned into confrontation as his home community questioned His legitimacy as He boldly read from the book of Isaiah, authentically proclaiming, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’
Nazarenes had known Jesus for nearly 30 years, most recently as a carpenter, and couldn’t understand what had changed since he’d left home just months before.
Was he being honest about his proclamation that the scripture had been fulfilled?
What had changed in Jesus’ life?
He had been filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by his Father to honestly proclaim the kingdom of God, even if it meant creating discomfort among his friends and family.
As followers of Jesus, we have the same Holy Spirit dwelling in us, empowering us to spread the good news and to love and lead honestly and authentically like Jesus, even amidst opposition from those closest to us.
What kind of honesty is the Holy Spirit requiring of you as you seek to live and lead like Jesus in today’s world?
Pray with me: God, we thank you that you sent your same Holy Spirit to us so that we may fully and honestly be your people, authentic living stones wherever you call us to serve, like Jesus.
“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.
He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.
Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.””
Gospel according to Luke, 4.14-19
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