Psalm 19 (New Jerusalem Bible)
Luke 4: 14 - 21 (Common English Bible)
The place where Jesus came to worship was in Nazareth. Nazareth was one of the largest places in Judea with about 20,000 inhabitants during the 1st century. There Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah chapter 61.
When read, the passage from Isaiah shows the difference between Jesus and his cousin John the Baptizer. John was a preacher of doom and with his words many of his listeners were terrified. By contrast, Jesus did warn his audience of trouble ahead but also preached God’s love for all people.
Luke places his gospel near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He emphasizes God’s openness to the Gentiles, which angered some of his Jewish listeners.
By this time Jesus had already been tempted in the wilderness. Jesus had been prepared for that experience because he studied the writings of the prophets in the Hebrew Bible. That was part of his education since he was a child attending worship in the synagogue at Nazareth. We can follow his example by reading scripture, prayers and worship. That develops a strong faith.
Isaiah’s scroll as read by Jesus is similar to Christ’s Great Commission, to proclaim the Good News and action to comfort people and free the oppressed. This was Jesus’ agenda and it is also our commission today. Jesus’ ministry involved loving the unloved and serving the poor. When the poor hear the Good News, they can realize that God is working on their behalf and also in our lives when we assist those who have been forgotten. The revolution begins when we walk with Jesus for justice.
Jesus knew exactly what the people in the synagogue needed to hear. Some there that day were the poor and the hungry. Christ looks beyond the outward appearance to the core of their soul. Jesus wants us to look at the world in a new way and make a radical shift in how to live. Jesus sets us free because of his death and resurrection. It was a victory over death, power and sin. We are all captives to something, whether it’s our vocation, television, entertainment or something else. But all of us can awaken to God’s anointing power. That is what inspires us, welcomes us and transforms us.
When Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah, what was said was a form of “jubilee,” a forgiveness of debt. The biblical Jubilee was held every 50 years when fields lay untilled, families returned to their ancestral homeland, debts were cancelled and slaves set free. The Jubilee restored a version of equality between families. One could say it was a kind of redistribution of wealth. It was something that could tame the inequality between people in Judea. Faith in a sovereign God was reflected in the structures of social and economic life as a kind of example of God’s Kingdom.
Imagine what God would say about the world that God has created. Not so happy I would think. Part of the earth is burning due to climate change. Some nations have taken small measures like the Kyoto Accord to control greenhouse gas emissions. But other nations have dropped out saying it’s too expensive. But these same nations always have enough money to drill planet earth to death and say climate change as fake news. What would Jesus do and say if he were asked in our society to preach today? What would he say about societies that are addicted to consumerism and governed by billionaire Oligarchs? Can we say, “The Spirit of God has anointed us as we help the poor.” I believe the Salem Presbyterian Church does very well in that department, since we provide food and warmth within our building. But that should not be the end. The former Archbishop in Brazil, Helder Pessoa Camara said, “When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint.” “When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist.”
So you see, the struggle for God’s justice continues. But what is the work we’re supposed to do? As followers of Jesus, we should be empowered to do what he did. Proclaim the Good News of God’s love and to help the helpless. Support those people in important positions who are trying to do the correct things to help the poor and oppressed. Unfortunately, there is a demonic force in America that has possessed the minds of the powerful to do the opposite of everything that Jesus taught. Although they might call themselves “Christians” the Spirit of antichrist is within them.
But there was some good news this past week. A prophet appeared and spoke Truth to Power. That is what prophets are suppose to do. It was a Bishop within the Episcopal Church, Mariann Budde. She kind of reminded me of the prophet Daniel when he rebuked King Belshazzar in Babylon. I just wish there were more Christians with the courage of Bishop Budde to speak the truth. I’m worried she might start getting death threats next. That is the very sad condition of our nation now.
Psalm 19 is a profound poetic meditation on the meaning of human life within God’s creation. Judean and Christian theology always begins like the Bible does, with the creation.
The Psalmist's first thoughts on creation is a revelation of the glory of God. The difference between the biblical view of creation and only the scientific view of creation without a creator matter. depends on how the Bible is read or only scientific facts about creation. But there is a middle ground called theistic evolution. Francis Collins wrote an excellent book called “The Language of God” which merges both science and theology, which I very much recommend. Dr. Collins is an acclaimed scientist and former director of the Genome Project. He was seen sometimes on network television during the height of the COVID crisis with Dr. Fauchi. Dr. Collins believes both religion and science can work together, if read right.
Now since I’m a believer of theistic theology, I do not believe Adam and Eve were literal people because anthropologists have proved that humankind has evolved over millions of years. But I believe God was the architect of evolution. I don’t believe the earth was created in six literal days because geologists have proved it took billions of years before earth looked like it does today. But I do believe God was creating the earth over billions of years. And there is one thing even astronomers have a hard time explaining is the Big Bang. But I do believe that God was the Big Bang.
Psalm 19 shows the entire earth as a creation from God not just for humans but also animal forms who exist with us. But it is long overdue for humans to take better care for the planet that God created for us.
Sometimes children ask questions about God more than adults do. Art Linkletter, who some of you might remember, had a program called “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” One of the things most children ask is “why” and “how.” Growing minds starve for understanding, but the thirst for knowledge often disappears as they get older. Is it because their curiosity is stifled by impatient adults? Is it because they get used to things and stop asking questions? Is that what happens to us when it comes to understanding God? Maybe more Christians should read the book, “Your God Is Too Small” by J.B.Phillips, who also wrote a translation of the New Testament. The Word of God stands forever because the Word gives us life. Jesus’ obedience to God created the foundation upon which God can enter our hearts. Jesus’ one-sentence sermon that day in Nazareth, was maybe the shortest sermon in history, but it’s also the most powerful. Let us pray.
Dear God, thank you for reminding us through your creation how much you love us. We admire what your power can do. Help us to feel your presence each and everyday.
AMEN
