Lenten Devotional // Day 7

Wednesday, March 9
THE SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED by Samantha Yoder

Luke 4:14-22
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

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. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
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,
    and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.”

Everyone was raving about Jesus, so impressed were they by the gracious words flowing from his lips. They said, “This is Joseph’s son, isn’t it?”

Reflection
We all have different places where we connect with Christ. For some it is through prayer, music or sermons. I always feel a connection to Jesus the most when I am listening to worship music. There is an indescribable feeling that washes over me and I feel His grace and love working through me. Recently Melissa Helser released a song called, “ I Can’t Get Away,”  and these lyrics have stuck with me.

“You see my mess
All my mistakes
And You love me still
And though I may waver
I am convinced
That You never change.”

I have connected with many friends throughout the years because of music. From time to time we share links to songs and how that particular song connects through the moment we are going through. Even if I haven’t talked to that friend in a while, we can always share music with each other.  I think about the friends in my life who have stuck with me in hard times. They do not leave me just because I am walking through a difficult time. Instead, they walk alongside me and help me navigate through those moments.

Even when we stray from God we can be reminded that God fulfilled the Scripture and sent Jesus for us. In Jesus we can see the grace of God in action. His gracious words brought hope, joy and favor to those who were ready to receive Him. If we can trust wholeheartedly that someone is there to support us in the toughest of times it makes previously insurmountable challenges easy.

Question for Contemplation
When have you leaned into God and seen the scripture of Christ fulfilled in your life?

Prayer
God–We are so grateful for your love and grace. Thank you for sending your Son to fulfill the scripture. We cannot express enough gratitude for Jesus and the goodness that He provides. Lord, please continue to be our guiding path each day. Amen.