Transform the World
Daily Scripture
Luke 4:16-21
16 Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. 17 The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to liberate the oppressed,
19 and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor [Isaiah 61:1-2; 58:6].
20 He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. 21 He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
For centuries, rabbis debated who Isaiah’s “servant of the Lord” might be. When Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2 in his hometown synagogue and then claimed, “I’m the one that Scripture meant,” he stunned everyone listening. Jesus’ “platform,” based on a Scripture promising to uplift those on society’s lowest rungs, said that his mission as the Messiah was to transform the world, to bring spiritual and social good news, healing, justice, and deliverance.
- John’s gospel said (cf. John 1:1-3, 14) Jesus was behind all of the calls to justice by Israel’s prophets (e.g. Amos 5:24), psalmists (e.g. Psalm 82:1-4), and wisdom writers (e.g. Proverbs 31:8-9). That’s why Resurrection’s vision is to transform, not only individual lives, but our community and world. Does Jesus’ message move you to use your resources and influence to ease the burdens of people who are struggling?
- The response to Jesus’ message was not rejoicing, but anger (cf. Luke 4:24-28). “Elijah was sent to help a widow – but not a Jewish one. Elisha healed one solitary leper–and the leper was the commander of the enemy army. That’s what did it. That’s what drove them to fury. Israel’s God was rescuing the wrong people.” * Transformation requires change, which we humans often resist. What attitudes or actions does Jesus’ mission to transform the world call on you to change?
Prayer
Lord, use me in your mission to invite the world to Your Kingdom. Thank you for your guidance through the Holy Spirit in my life. Transform me to be more like Your Son. Amen.
GPS Insights
Jennifer Creagar
Jennifer Creagar, who serves as the Community Assistance Coordination Director in Resurrection's Congregational Care Ministry, wrote today's Insights. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.
© 2025 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Wright, N. T., Luke for Everyone (pp. 47-48). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
