Devotion:
Read Luke 4:16-19.
As Luke writes about the life and ministry of Jesus, this is early in that ministry. The Holy Spirit has led Jesus to be baptized, where he is assured of God’s love and affirmation. The Spirit has led him into a time of wrestling with the temptations he will face. Then verse 14 says “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit…” As he stands to read the Scriptures in the synagogue, he sees in the passage from the prophet Isaiah a vision of what his ministry is to be about. It will be focused on the least, last, lost and lonely of this world. He would bring good news to all those who mostly hear and experience bad news and struggle in life.
For those who seek to represent Jesus in this world today, one of the ways we can evaluate whether we are actually being his people is to determine whether we are ministering to those same people in our world today. What are we doing to make life better for those who struggle most in this world? How are we advocating for and making a difference in the lives of the poor? What are we doing to share the good news of God’s love and forgiveness with people who too often only get bad news?
It was a vision for Jesus’ ministry when he was here on earth. May his people everywhere still see it as their (our) ministry today.
Personal Worship Option:
What do you see as your ministry as a part of our shared ministry at Christ Church? If you do not have an answer for that question, please check out our list of service/ministry opportunities both in the church and out in the world, as well as the ministry section of our Strategic Plan.
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