Thursday, Last Week of the Christmas Season

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” (Lk 4:14-22)

When Jesus was about in his late 20’s, he left the northern hill town of Nazareth and went south to the Jerusalem area where he spent time listening to John the Baptist.

He was baptized in the Jordan Rover by John, and this was a turning point in his life. He began preaching and teaching. Eventually he returned to his hometown for a visit, which is described in the passage above.

I know the rest of the story. Jesus’ hometown people were impressed by “the gracious words that came from his mouth.” But the more they listened, the more he seemed to be suggesting that he was specially chosen by God, even insinuating that he was the long-awaited Messiah.

They wondered aloud, “Who does he think he is? He’s Joseph’s boy. We watched him grow. He’s just one of us.”

It happens all the time. People put us in a box. They always see us the way they used to see us, no matter how we’ve changed.

God never puts me in a box. God knows my potential. God can let go of the past – even a bad past – and move on to a new future. It’s one of the great things about God.

Anything I want to move on to in my life? God will not only let me do it. God will help me do it.

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"You are my refuge and shield; in your word I hope."
- Psalm 119:11