Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. (Luke 4:21)
Returning to his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus was invited to speak in the synagogue. His reputation as a wonder worker and powerful preacher had preceded him, and the people hung on his every word. This was not the first time that they had heard this passage—it was part of their regular cycle of Scripture readings. But this time it was different. Jesus spoke with unmistakable authority, and their hearts were stirred.
What made the difference? The Spirit of anointing rested on Jesus just as he had filled the prophet who first spoke these words. The words came alive as Jesus declared, “He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives.” You can just imagine some of the people seeing themselves in those words for the first time—and sensing that their own deliverance was at hand!
How can we have this same experience? What will make the Scriptures leap off the page for us? The Spirit of anointing! When you read the Bible, invite the Holy Spirit to help you. Ask him to open your eyes to his truths in a deeper, more personal way. Read the passage carefully, and make sure you understand what it is saying. Use a commentary or a good study Bible, but don’t stop there. Prayerfully ponder what you have read. Let the words echo in your mind and heart. If a particular verse or even a word strikes you, stay with it and see what happens. Give it time, and don’t worry about the rest of the passage. Maybe the Lord wants to say something to you personally right then and there.
Finally, make sure you write down whatever sense you receive as you ponder the word of God. Keep a prayer journal so that you can review it every now and then to see how much the Lord is doing in your life. He wants to talk with you! He wants you to learn how to hear his voice!
“Lord, open my eyes to your wonders in the Scriptures.”
Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; Psalm 19:8-10, 15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Returning to his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus was invited to speak in the synagogue. His reputation as a wonder worker and powerful preacher had preceded him, and the people hung on his every word. This was not the first time that they had heard this passage—it was part of their regular cycle of Scripture readings. But this time it was different. Jesus spoke with unmistakable authority, and their hearts were stirred.
What made the difference? The Spirit of anointing rested on Jesus just as he had filled the prophet who first spoke these words. The words came alive as Jesus declared, “He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives.” You can just imagine some of the people seeing themselves in those words for the first time—and sensing that their own deliverance was at hand!
How can we have this same experience? What will make the Scriptures leap off the page for us? The Spirit of anointing! When you read the Bible, invite the Holy Spirit to help you. Ask him to open your eyes to his truths in a deeper, more personal way. Read the passage carefully, and make sure you understand what it is saying. Use a commentary or a good study Bible, but don’t stop there. Prayerfully ponder what you have read. Let the words echo in your mind and heart. If a particular verse or even a word strikes you, stay with it and see what happens. Give it time, and don’t worry about the rest of the passage. Maybe the Lord wants to say something to you personally right then and there.
Finally, make sure you write down whatever sense you receive as you ponder the word of God. Keep a prayer journal so that you can review it every now and then to see how much the Lord is doing in your life. He wants to talk with you! He wants you to learn how to hear his voice!
“Lord, open my eyes to your wonders in the Scriptures.”
Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; Psalm 19:8-10, 15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
No comments:
Post a Comment