DAY 35: 8 days to E-day

EIGHT DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
Luke 4:14 - 21
Isaiah 61:1-2

Our reading for today takes us back to the beginning of Jesus' ministry - but it confirms where we would have found Him on the last Sabbath before his death. ...on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom - and on this day, very likely in Bethany since he was there last night at a dinner in his honor.

That day approximately 3 years earlier, he was in the synagogue in Nazareth, where he had grown up. What he stood up to read that day, he has since achieved, and will soon fulfill the purpose for which He came. The words He read to them that day were from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, now familiar to us as Isaiah 61:1-2:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Out of respect for God's Word, He stood to read, then he handed the scroll back to the attendant and sat down. He had everyone's attention - and the first words He spoke to them were, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

What a journey. Three years that would change time, change history, change us. Talk about change! He is the change the world needs. He changes everything. Yes He can!

This specific Sabbath is not mentioned by any of the writers of the Gospels. It was not a public day for Jesus. He may have spent it with a few intimate friends. But there was nothing noteworthy to write about.

I'm quite certain that it was a day of preparation for him. He knew what tomorrow would bring - and he had to prepare just as intentionally to defer praise as he did to absorb sorrow.... He couldn't let anything deter Him from His true purpose. He had to look through the coming days with eternal eyes.

We know what was going on behind the scenes. The Religious leaders were plotting to kill him. What a reality check. They had discussed not doing it during the festival, fearing a riot. Just as Jerusalem was full of people on the night of His birth because of the census, Jerusalem was now full of people for The Feast of Unleavened Bread - The Passover Celebration.

Certainly on this final Sabbath, Jesus' eyes were 'toward Jerusalem.' Jesus was on 'bucket list' time. Our senses are heightened now to hear what He will say in His final opportunities to communicate as God incarnate - fully man.


Humor for today: More Bulletin Bloopers and Church Announcements:

Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help.

Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

During the absence of our pastor we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when Dr. F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.

The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.