Grow! Pray! Study! From The United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Ash Wednesday, 5 March 2014 "Good news to the poor"

Grow! Pray! Study! From The United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Ash Wednesday, 5 March 2014 "Good news to the poor" 
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Daily Scripture: Luke 4:16 He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,
18 “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 heal the broken hearted,[a]
    to proclaim release to the captives,
    recovering of sight to the blind,
    to deliver those who are crushed,
19     and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”[b]
20 He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Footnotes:
a. Luke 4:18 NU omits “to heal the broken hearted”
b. Luke 4:19 Isaiah 61:1-2
Reflection Questions:
What a striking scene—Jesus had gone to the little village where he had grown up. In the synagogue, he read from Isaiah 61, in which God's servant said he had a mission to "preach good news to the poor…to liberate the oppressed." Then Jesus said, "Today, this scripture has been fulfilled," claiming that mission as his own. Resurrection plans to join in his mission by giving hope to at least 10,000 children in poverty.
•In what ways have you experienced a sense of bondage to a harmful behavior or situation? How have you seen God bringing greater freedom into your life? Have you seen someone you care about find that kind of liberation? What role, if any, did God's faithful servants play in carrying out God's mission of deliverance and liberation?
•Today is Ash Wednesday. The passage Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61 went on to promise that God would give those who were brokenhearted and mourning "a crown in place of ashes." How has God brought new life and hope out of the places in your life that seemed filled with ashes? Ash Wednesday launches the season of Lent, in which we prepare spiritually to celebrate Easter. Join us in worship at the Ash Wednesday service at one of our campuses.
Today's Prayer:
God, show me where there is hardship among my neighbors, among the people in the city and the world. Prepare and enlist me to join you in your mission, to occupy my time with the matters that occupy your heart. Amen.
Insight from Rev. Steven Blair
Rev. Steven Blair is the Congregational Care pastor of Live Forward and Live Well Emotional Wellness Ministry. www.cor.org/liveforward
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”--Luke 4:18-19
These verses come from Isaiah 61, a chapter his audience would have known well. Just a few words from Jesus and they could start filling in the blanks. When Jesus commented: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing (Luke 4:21),” they would have seen Jesus’ promise extending to the rest of Isaiah 61 too. In addition to providing liberation for those in economic, spiritual and other types of bondage, Jesus was fulfilling the following promises as well:
Isaiah 61 includes the following themes:
[COMFORT] to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:2-3)
[REBUILDING] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. (Isaiah 61:4)
[REMOVAL OF SHAME] Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. (Isaiah 61:7)
[VINDICATION, NEW LIFE] For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.(Isaiah 61:11)
Jesus is announcing that the scriptures from Isaiah 61 are promises fulfilled in him. He will bring Good News to the poor and all who are oppressed. He will comfort, rebuild, remove shame, give new life, give sight to the blind and give liberation. This is what he came to do.
Prayer and Meditation
(Heart)
God, show me the places where there is hardship among my neighbors, among the people in the city and the world at large. Enlarge my heart to make space for their prayers.
Now prepare and enlist me to join you in your mission. May I occupy my time with the matters that occupy your heart.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Be, Do & Go
(Hands)
Sometime today, find a way to:
Comfort
Rebuild
Remove Shame
Offer God’s New Life
For Discussion:
Use this section to help prompt discussion with your spouse, children, small group, etc.
1. Have you experienced bondage to a behavior or to a harmful situation?
2. How have you seen God liberating you?
3. What dreams and visions for the church do you have? How do those dreams reflect and incorporate Jesus’ mission? What next steps can you take to make these dreams and visions more real?
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