Epiphany III
Sermon for Hope Episcopal Church
Houston, TX
By The Rev. Martha Frances+
Year C Epiphany III
21 January 2007
Text: Luke 4: 14-21
Other Readings: Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a
Last week we revisited Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana, & today we move on to Luke’s presentation of his inaugural teaching in his hometown of Nazareth. As we listen to Jesus’ important “firsts” during the Epiphany season, perhaps the “showings forth” or “manifestations” of Jesus’ actions & wisdom will guide us to our own epiphanies as Jesus touches our lives in new ways. We may also learn how to share the love & way of Jesus’ life with others, continuing the Epiphany call to let our light shine before others, even to the ends of the earth.
Immediately prior to this passage in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is baptized, receives the Holy Spirit, & then undergoes wilderness temptations. We’re assured that Jesus is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit when he returns to his hometown of Nazareth. Jesus has been praised for his early teaching in the synagogue, & don’t you imagine he’s excited yet a bit apprehensive upon entering the synagogue where as a youth he first sat at the feet of other rabbis to learn the Law & the Prophets as well as the lore of Jewish holy men? Sort of like our going back to a high school reunion.
Back at home, Jesus went to the synagogue, as was his custom, the text says, because it was Sabbath, &, as a good Jewish man, he participated in worship & study. Here in the one synagogue visit recorded by Luke, Jesus affirms 3 of the most important Jewish traditions: the observation of the Sabbath, the centrality of Scripture, & the importance of synagogue worship. As a visiting adult male, he was invited to read from the Prophets & elaborate on the reading, so there’s nothing unusual about his actions on this day. Moreover, I would imagine that the hometown rabbis remembered how good a student he had been.
Notice that he stands up to read, just as we do in worship, & the people would have stood in reverence & affirmation for the reading of the scripture. When you stand for the Gospel reading, just as when Jesus read the selection from the prophet Isaiah, you don’t have to stand all morning long like the people did to hear Nehemiah read in our first lesson for today!
From Isaiah, Jesus reads one of the Servant Songs, one you’re probably familiar with, just as we sang/read today. This passage outlines the hope of Israelite people for the long-awaited Messiah, but notice how Jesus emphasizes that it indeed applies to him, that they are seeing & listening to the fulfillment of their hopes & dreams for a Messiah, a Christ. Just in case they don’t realize that he’s describing himself when he reads Isaiah’s prophecy, he ends the reading by stating clearly, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” You’ll have to return next week to find out how the people responded to this proclamation.
However, we have much to learn today, & to be encouraged by, in seeing how this servant song describes Jesus so aptly & also how the same actions of Jesus predicted in this passage from Isaiah relate to us today. Looking back upon Jesus’ life, death, & resurrection, we can say, “Of course, the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus. Jesus was God’s son, so of course, God’s Spirit was upon him,” but we can certainly appreciate how his old neighbors might say, “Who does he think he is? I remember when he used to work in his father’s carpenter shop. He was always a good kid, but going off to Lord-knows-where has certainly made him think a lot of himself.”
We miss the next part unless we remember that the word “Messiah” or “Christ” means “anointed,” so Jesus is telling them right here who he is. They don’t “get it,” at least not yet, but Jesus has declared he is the one set apart—anointed—for his role as Savior but also as one who calls not only Israel but all the world to a new relationship with God. He doesn’t come to wipe Israel’s enemies off the face of the earth as many had hoped a Messiah would do, but he comes to challenge the way things are in their society & to call everyone to live a more giving life. In fact, we can read all the rest of the books of Luke & Acts in light of Jesus’ self-revelation here. In the words of Isaiah, he sets forth his own mission statement—what his intentions are in his ministry.
Jesus says he has come to bring good news to the poor, & certainly for countless poor in the centuries which have followed, Jesus’ Gospel, the word that means good news, has lifted up millions of people who are poor in lots of ways. “The poor” includes not only all who are on the bottom of the economic scale—meaning the impoverished & the homeless—but also those who are outcast for any reason: race, gender, physical or mental limitations, color of skin or slant of eyes, degree of education, sexual orientation, cleanliness or manner of dress. We humans are amazing in the ways in which we can separate ourselves from others & set ourselves above or below other categories of people. Jesus doesn’t make those distinctions; he is convinced his purpose is to extend the Gospel to ALL. That’s enough to make anyone who believed that the Messiah was to come to save only the Jews nervous. We need to be very careful when we think we’re smart enough to figure out who belongs in God’s kingdom & who doesn’t. No wonder Jesus told us that God is the judge & we aren’t.
When Jesus says God has sent him to proclaim release to the captives, he uses the word for “sent” which means he has a commission from someone else, in this case God, to free people from whatever keeps them captive. The word “release” was originally meant to forgive debts, & many people then & now find themselves trapped in a web of debts & hopelessness because they see no chance to get out of debt. There was a Jewish concept which may have actually happened from time to time called Jubilee. The idea was that every 7 years people should be released from debt so they could start from zero instead of constantly trying to pull out of a hole. I can remember times in my life which the idea of “Jubilee” would have given me very-needed hope. Right now, I want you to think about what keeps you captive that you would like release from. Perhaps it is cigarettes or fatty foods, scratch-off Lotto tickets or the need for the latest in electronics, addictive relationships or hopelessness which keeps you from believing that you can accomplish anything better. What are you captive to? Are you willing to let Jesus release you from that?
Who is blind in our society? Perhaps I ought to ask you who is NOT blind, at least about some things, in our society? Recovery of sight for many of us means being able to break through the wall of denial. Education doesn’t solve all the blindness of our society, but it certainly helps us see things we haven’t paid attention to before. That’s why we emphasize Bible Study & small group study & sharing here at Hope. We can all benefit from Jesus’ removing the blinders from our eyes. Often it happens through our being vulnerable to a few people & listening to their stories. What have you been trying to ignore or avoid that you finally need to face squarely & look at in your life? What person or group can aid you in doing that? Your church community can be a resource for your improving your eyesight by breaking through denial.
Who in this congregation has ever felt oppressed? Anyone who doesn’t answer yes to that question, I would contend is in a lot of denial or is just sitting out there asleep this morning. Oppression is sometimes only in our minds, but breaking through that oppression to the offer which Jesus makes of new life is part of what we are about in the Christian community. When we think about what oppresses us, we need to ask what part of that do we have some control over, & then begin to work on that. Sometimes the only thing we have some control over is the way we think about a difficult situation in our lives, but a change in our attitude toward it can make all the difference. We learn about that in the Serenity Prayer that many of us say regularly: “God, grant me the serenity to accept those things which we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, & the wisdom to know the difference.” What we often can change but resist doing is our attitude about a situation. Seeing something as an opportunity to grow instead of something which oppresses us may make all the difference in the world. The ability to figure that out & act on it is wisdom!
Finally, Jesus proclaims the year of the Lord’s favor (the song calls it the acceptable year of the Lord)! The passage begins & ends with proclamation, & anything which Jesus proclaims is surely Good News, don’t you think? Remember what I told you about the concept of Jubilee being a time each 7 years when things go back to their rightful owners & debts are cleared so people start over, even-steven as my kids used to say. It’s like starting a new game & forgetting who won the last one. Everyone starts from square one! I have to tell you that this concept of Jubilee was never practiced as much in Hebrew society as it was preached. But it is such a strong & healthy idea that we still talk in terms of Jubilee when we think of Jesus’ desire for everyone to belong in society & all to live life abundantly.
Today is our Annual Meeting at Hope, the first one since becoming Hope officially last year at Diocesan Council. We’ve come a long way, & we have a lot to give thanks for as we go into our 2nd year together. We need each other in order to fulfill God’s call to us within this parish community & beyond. We need to put legs on Isaiah’s description of a faithful community which Jesus adopted. We need to laugh aloud at the ridiculous image of the whole body’s being an eye or an ear or a hand which St. Paul gives us in the Corinthians’ passage today, remembering that we are each given gifts for ministry & we need each other to make the whole, ever striving for the greater gifts. May we go into our new year learning how to truly love one another & share that love beyond the barriers of these walls. Let us bless the Lord who through us can do more than we can ask or imagine. Alleluia!
Houston, TX
By The Rev. Martha Frances+
Year C Epiphany III
21 January 2007
Text: Luke 4: 14-21
Other Readings: Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a
Last week we revisited Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana, & today we move on to Luke’s presentation of his inaugural teaching in his hometown of Nazareth. As we listen to Jesus’ important “firsts” during the Epiphany season, perhaps the “showings forth” or “manifestations” of Jesus’ actions & wisdom will guide us to our own epiphanies as Jesus touches our lives in new ways. We may also learn how to share the love & way of Jesus’ life with others, continuing the Epiphany call to let our light shine before others, even to the ends of the earth.
Immediately prior to this passage in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is baptized, receives the Holy Spirit, & then undergoes wilderness temptations. We’re assured that Jesus is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit when he returns to his hometown of Nazareth. Jesus has been praised for his early teaching in the synagogue, & don’t you imagine he’s excited yet a bit apprehensive upon entering the synagogue where as a youth he first sat at the feet of other rabbis to learn the Law & the Prophets as well as the lore of Jewish holy men? Sort of like our going back to a high school reunion.
Back at home, Jesus went to the synagogue, as was his custom, the text says, because it was Sabbath, &, as a good Jewish man, he participated in worship & study. Here in the one synagogue visit recorded by Luke, Jesus affirms 3 of the most important Jewish traditions: the observation of the Sabbath, the centrality of Scripture, & the importance of synagogue worship. As a visiting adult male, he was invited to read from the Prophets & elaborate on the reading, so there’s nothing unusual about his actions on this day. Moreover, I would imagine that the hometown rabbis remembered how good a student he had been.
Notice that he stands up to read, just as we do in worship, & the people would have stood in reverence & affirmation for the reading of the scripture. When you stand for the Gospel reading, just as when Jesus read the selection from the prophet Isaiah, you don’t have to stand all morning long like the people did to hear Nehemiah read in our first lesson for today!
From Isaiah, Jesus reads one of the Servant Songs, one you’re probably familiar with, just as we sang/read today. This passage outlines the hope of Israelite people for the long-awaited Messiah, but notice how Jesus emphasizes that it indeed applies to him, that they are seeing & listening to the fulfillment of their hopes & dreams for a Messiah, a Christ. Just in case they don’t realize that he’s describing himself when he reads Isaiah’s prophecy, he ends the reading by stating clearly, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” You’ll have to return next week to find out how the people responded to this proclamation.
However, we have much to learn today, & to be encouraged by, in seeing how this servant song describes Jesus so aptly & also how the same actions of Jesus predicted in this passage from Isaiah relate to us today. Looking back upon Jesus’ life, death, & resurrection, we can say, “Of course, the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus. Jesus was God’s son, so of course, God’s Spirit was upon him,” but we can certainly appreciate how his old neighbors might say, “Who does he think he is? I remember when he used to work in his father’s carpenter shop. He was always a good kid, but going off to Lord-knows-where has certainly made him think a lot of himself.”
We miss the next part unless we remember that the word “Messiah” or “Christ” means “anointed,” so Jesus is telling them right here who he is. They don’t “get it,” at least not yet, but Jesus has declared he is the one set apart—anointed—for his role as Savior but also as one who calls not only Israel but all the world to a new relationship with God. He doesn’t come to wipe Israel’s enemies off the face of the earth as many had hoped a Messiah would do, but he comes to challenge the way things are in their society & to call everyone to live a more giving life. In fact, we can read all the rest of the books of Luke & Acts in light of Jesus’ self-revelation here. In the words of Isaiah, he sets forth his own mission statement—what his intentions are in his ministry.
Jesus says he has come to bring good news to the poor, & certainly for countless poor in the centuries which have followed, Jesus’ Gospel, the word that means good news, has lifted up millions of people who are poor in lots of ways. “The poor” includes not only all who are on the bottom of the economic scale—meaning the impoverished & the homeless—but also those who are outcast for any reason: race, gender, physical or mental limitations, color of skin or slant of eyes, degree of education, sexual orientation, cleanliness or manner of dress. We humans are amazing in the ways in which we can separate ourselves from others & set ourselves above or below other categories of people. Jesus doesn’t make those distinctions; he is convinced his purpose is to extend the Gospel to ALL. That’s enough to make anyone who believed that the Messiah was to come to save only the Jews nervous. We need to be very careful when we think we’re smart enough to figure out who belongs in God’s kingdom & who doesn’t. No wonder Jesus told us that God is the judge & we aren’t.
When Jesus says God has sent him to proclaim release to the captives, he uses the word for “sent” which means he has a commission from someone else, in this case God, to free people from whatever keeps them captive. The word “release” was originally meant to forgive debts, & many people then & now find themselves trapped in a web of debts & hopelessness because they see no chance to get out of debt. There was a Jewish concept which may have actually happened from time to time called Jubilee. The idea was that every 7 years people should be released from debt so they could start from zero instead of constantly trying to pull out of a hole. I can remember times in my life which the idea of “Jubilee” would have given me very-needed hope. Right now, I want you to think about what keeps you captive that you would like release from. Perhaps it is cigarettes or fatty foods, scratch-off Lotto tickets or the need for the latest in electronics, addictive relationships or hopelessness which keeps you from believing that you can accomplish anything better. What are you captive to? Are you willing to let Jesus release you from that?
Who is blind in our society? Perhaps I ought to ask you who is NOT blind, at least about some things, in our society? Recovery of sight for many of us means being able to break through the wall of denial. Education doesn’t solve all the blindness of our society, but it certainly helps us see things we haven’t paid attention to before. That’s why we emphasize Bible Study & small group study & sharing here at Hope. We can all benefit from Jesus’ removing the blinders from our eyes. Often it happens through our being vulnerable to a few people & listening to their stories. What have you been trying to ignore or avoid that you finally need to face squarely & look at in your life? What person or group can aid you in doing that? Your church community can be a resource for your improving your eyesight by breaking through denial.
Who in this congregation has ever felt oppressed? Anyone who doesn’t answer yes to that question, I would contend is in a lot of denial or is just sitting out there asleep this morning. Oppression is sometimes only in our minds, but breaking through that oppression to the offer which Jesus makes of new life is part of what we are about in the Christian community. When we think about what oppresses us, we need to ask what part of that do we have some control over, & then begin to work on that. Sometimes the only thing we have some control over is the way we think about a difficult situation in our lives, but a change in our attitude toward it can make all the difference. We learn about that in the Serenity Prayer that many of us say regularly: “God, grant me the serenity to accept those things which we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, & the wisdom to know the difference.” What we often can change but resist doing is our attitude about a situation. Seeing something as an opportunity to grow instead of something which oppresses us may make all the difference in the world. The ability to figure that out & act on it is wisdom!
Finally, Jesus proclaims the year of the Lord’s favor (the song calls it the acceptable year of the Lord)! The passage begins & ends with proclamation, & anything which Jesus proclaims is surely Good News, don’t you think? Remember what I told you about the concept of Jubilee being a time each 7 years when things go back to their rightful owners & debts are cleared so people start over, even-steven as my kids used to say. It’s like starting a new game & forgetting who won the last one. Everyone starts from square one! I have to tell you that this concept of Jubilee was never practiced as much in Hebrew society as it was preached. But it is such a strong & healthy idea that we still talk in terms of Jubilee when we think of Jesus’ desire for everyone to belong in society & all to live life abundantly.
Today is our Annual Meeting at Hope, the first one since becoming Hope officially last year at Diocesan Council. We’ve come a long way, & we have a lot to give thanks for as we go into our 2nd year together. We need each other in order to fulfill God’s call to us within this parish community & beyond. We need to put legs on Isaiah’s description of a faithful community which Jesus adopted. We need to laugh aloud at the ridiculous image of the whole body’s being an eye or an ear or a hand which St. Paul gives us in the Corinthians’ passage today, remembering that we are each given gifts for ministry & we need each other to make the whole, ever striving for the greater gifts. May we go into our new year learning how to truly love one another & share that love beyond the barriers of these walls. Let us bless the Lord who through us can do more than we can ask or imagine. Alleluia!
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