3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C

by Mark Marius

THE WORD FULFILLED BRINGS THE LORD’S FAVOR 

Luke 4:14-21 
3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C 
Analysis by Mark A Marius 

14 Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding region. 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 
18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 
because he has anointed me 
to bring good news to the poor. 
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives 
and recovery of sight to the blind, 
to set free those who are oppressed, 
19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 
20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

Jesus in the Synagogue – Joakim Skovgaard (1856–1933)
From Wikimedia Commons

“Providing for the poor, advocating for the captives, seeing the blind, freeing the oppressed brings about a new epiphany.”

DIAGNOSIS: Unfulfilled 

Step 1: Initial Diagnosis (External Problem): Nothing ever changes 
Fulfilling God’s justice is not a new thing. It is and has been God’s project for humanity since the fall. Bringing good news to the poor, releasing the captives, setting free the oppressed, recognizing the sight of the blind is as old as time (chronos). Some of us ignore such work, many resent it, and others have attempted it – but all have failed to deliver. Injustice continues. This is a problem for everyone, regardless of privilege and status.  

Step 2: Advance Diagnosis (Internal Problem): I don’t trust myself nor others to make a difference 
It’s an internal battle engaging in justice work. How much of myself can I give? How much of my resources do I need to hoard? And what really gets me upset is, why aren’t others doing their fair share? Especially those who have so much more than anyone else? Hearing God’s Word to do justice is difficult and seemingly impossible to fulfill. Our hearts turn inward, filled with regret and resentment. 

Step 3: Final Diagnosis (Ultimate Problem): Out of favor 
This epiphany, the fulfilling of the scriptures at this time (kairos), will also be met with rejection. We are not all that different from the Devil, who tempts Jesus, seeking to seduce humanity, trying to control Jesus (4:1-12). So do many in Nazareth (cf. vs. 22-30).  So do we. But God does not exist to do us favors. When we reject doing God’s justice, and out of our own shame dissuade Jesus from doing justice, we fall out of God’s favor. And without God’s favor death is immanent.  When it comes to justice, divine justice, no one stands. 

From Canva

PROGNOSIS: Fulfillment 
Step 4: Initial Prognosis (Ultimate Solution): Jesus delivers the Word 
Jesus does what no one else can do.  He fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, restoring God’s creatures and God’s creation with a promising justice.   This justice of our Lord is born in mercy, delivered in love, given as grace, seeing us beyond the just judgments of our sins.  Jesus doesn’t judge us for our failure but in his compassion and death on the cross makes his own our highly unfavorable death; and in his resurrection, God’s Word delivers us from sin, death and the devil, restoring us to “the Lord’s favor.” 

Step 5: Advanced Prognosis (Internal Solution): Trusting the fulfillment 
Our hearts are released from burden and failure. Sharing in Jesus’s baptism we are forgiven and washed clean. We no longer need to feel overwhelmed about doing God’s justice. We now trust the One who has fulfilled it. Our hearts are turned, overflowing with God’s love and grace for us, opened to all. 

Step 6: Final Prognosis (External Solution): Fulfilling the change 
Jesus fulfilling the scripture now becomes our invitation to carry his promise for all. We are sent to help others know what has already been accomplished. Even as injustices still occur in our world, we proclaim the justice that has been promised and fulfilled. Sharing love, grace, and God’s Holy communion changes our world. Providing for the poor, advocating for the captives, seeing the blind, freeing the oppressed brings about a new epiphany. We need not fear rejection since we have been empowered to share the Lord’s favor.

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