Proclaim

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

The passage for this week reminds us that Jesus was a faithful Jewish man. Jesus had already built a reputation for himself in his hometown and surrounding regions by the way he lived. To this point, everyone had only good things to say about him (Luke 4:14-15). He had not yet announced his ministry agenda. He had not yet leveled a critique in the synagogue against his own people. Jesus had attended the synagogue on a regular basis, but perhaps in previous visits, he only listened, watched, reflected, analyzed, and even read scripture, yet had not yet provided a contemporary critique or deconstructed the scriptures.

The words Jesus speaks in Nazareth are especially important because they are the first words we hear of his public ministry in Luke's Gospel. This is an inaugural address of sorts. What Jesus says here represents the heart of his message and mission. Of course, his message and mission do not come out of the blue but from the Scriptures. Hereads from the prophet Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because [God| has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. (God| has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (a conflation of Isaiah 61:1-2a and 58:6, and a reference to Leviticus 25). Then Jesus gives a one-sentence interpretation: "Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

At the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus clearly explains his mission. He boldly claims to fulfill the words of Isaiah, who speaks of the Spirit anointing him, sending him, and compelling him to bring good news to every one of God's children who are bound up, pressed down, broken in spirit, impoverished, imprisoned, and desperately hungry for good news.

How are you called to proclaim the good news? What are you called to proclaim? What is your prophetic message for this time?

Based on Luke 4:14-21

 Music this week:

• Amazing Grace (Peaceful, Easy Feeling)

• Lead Me to the Rock

• Build My Life

• Step by Step

• All Are Welcome

• Eat This Bread

Of all the miracles Jesus performed during his lifetime, turning water into wine may seem the most frivolous. After all, running out of wine may have led to some shame for the newly married couple's hosts and families, but there is no evidence that this condition would have threatened life or even livelihood. Later in John's gospel, Jesus would cast out demons and unclean spirits. He would alleviate the hemorrhaging of a woman who had been suffering for twelve years. Jesus would even raise Lazarus from his deathbed and a twelve year-old girl from her sick bed. Does running out of wine meet those standards?

Mary advises those working at the wedding to do what Jesus tells them to do. Jesus then follows that invitation with three directives: fill the containers, draw the water, and taste it. The entire passage is filled with symbolic images and actions, and these directives transcend the particulars of the miracle of Cana. Like the wedding guests, we are invited to experience God's goodness fully. Let us resist being satisfied or resigned to the emptiness that life offers and fill our lives' vessels with Living Water. By doing so, we will create reserves that we may draw from during times of trial, famine, grief, uncertainty, and despair. Jesus invites us to taste it — to test and verify what is good and true and available to us. When we fill, draw, and taste, we will find miracles. We may even become miracles.

On January 20, we will celebrate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Like the miracle at the wedding at Cana, Dr. King's message to the world speaks of transformation, hope, and the realization of a new and better reality. Like Jesus in this passage, King sought to fill a void, draw out hidden potential, and offer a taste of a more abundant and just life for all. He brought the message of hope and transformation that is central to the Gospel.

Based on John 2:1-11

Music this week:

• Hallelujah (your love is amazing)

• Abide

• Holy Spirit Rain Down

• In the Light

• Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

• All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly

Beloved
Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

In the first three chapters of Luke's Gospel, we read about angelic visitations, maternal and prophetic declarations, and temple encounters in Jesus' infancy and adolescence. We go from celebrating Jesus's birth to the Magi's visit within two years to a fully grown Jesus in a matter of weeks! The second Sunday of January is traditionally when we remember the baptism of Jesus.

The people have been confused by the ministry of John, the son of Elizabeth (and Jesus' cousin). His followers have diligently and faithfully ascribed to the way of life that John has promoted. In the text, we witness a transition in leadership as the fully human John describes the one who is coming with Spirit and fire. John knows he is not the Messiah and believes the Messiah is coming. Jesus was in the crowd and was baptized. No one suspects Jesus to be the Messiah. Only when Jesus has been baptized and prays is his identity revealed by Spirit and Voice as heaven opened and God calls Jesus "beloved."

What does it mean to be baptized?

Baptism is a public act by which the church proclaims God's grace, as revealed in Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, through a visible sign of God's gracious initiative and the human individual's response in faith. We claim our identity as God's beloved.

Baptism welcomes the believer into the community of faith, the body of Christ, and reminds us that we are not alone.

Martin Luther, the German theologian and Protestant Reformer, was known to approach the baptismal font of any church he entered, dip his fingers in the water, and make the sign of the cross on his forehead while saying, "Remember, Martin, you are baptized." This Sunday, you will have that opportunity as well. If you have not yet been baptized and have questions or are ready to begin the conversation, just let Leslie know.

 Music this week:

• Gather Us In

• Because of Your Love

• Protector of My Soul

• Water, River, Spirit, Grace
  Wade in the Water

• Wash, O God, Your Sons and Daughters

On January 5, we celebrate the first Sunday of the new year. We will note that the Magi have arrived at the home where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are staying. They present Jesus with gifts that will symbolize his life and ministry (gold, frankincense, and myrrh), and they warn Mary and Joseph to go to Egypt and hide there. They will go back home by another path, as well. We will see that sometimes God sends us on a path we do not expect to live into the life God has in store for us. We will be reminded that "The Road Isn't Straight."

Based on Matthew 2:1-12

 Music this week:

• Emmanuel, Emmanuel

• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings

• Lord, I Give You My Heart

• Open the Eyes of My Heart

• Home by Another Way

• Let There Be Peace On Earth