Sanctus Real Concert Fri 12/6
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The people murmured in awe, seeing how the boy they once knew had become a powerful figure. Perhaps their thoughts turned quickly to how this would benefit their humble town. "A miracle worker...from Nazareth?! He will put us on the map! Maybe he's the one foretold who will overrun our enemies and make us a great nation once again!!" Their hearts and eyes and ears were still filled with the pride of David and Solomon's kingdoms. Jesus, seeming to sense their self-idolatry, tries to set them straight.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 let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. (Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus is telling them (and us) that they (we) don't understand what God is trying to do. Jesus didn't come to draw lines between people, he came to erase them. He didn't come to magnify people, he came to magnify God. We often say "God bless America." We like telling God what to do. We should be praying for America to bless God. Anything else only serves ourselves."...the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut for three years and six months, and there was a sever famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon." (Luke 4:25-26)