I think one of my favorite stories of Jesus is the morning he taught at the synagogue in his hometown. Luke 4:14-22 Every time I hear it read, or read it myself, it seems to be wired with such electricity, such anticipation and hope.

The sermon last Sunday focused on this passage, and my pastor made some really good points.

1. Jesus didn’t come to start a new religion. He went to synagogue every week, took his turn reading up at the lecturn. If they had acolytes, he probably would have done that with all the other boys growing up.

2. But how cool is it that when he took his turn reading scripture that had been read aloud in synagogue for years and years prior… he could stand there and say something that had never before been said: This prophesy I just read – I am here to tell you that now, right here and now, this one has come true. You are all here to see it happen. You. Yes, you – sitting in pew three. This is coming true in your hearing.

How I wish I could know what the rest of that sermon had been. I wish they had penned the entirety of the sermon instead of just teasing us with one line. But, I suppose it makes sense. These days, I can listen to the sermon and usually I can remember one take-away sentence, two if I’m having an exceptionally good day. It is just like me walking out of church: there’s usually only one line that I can really hold on to and remember, even years later. But I know that if I like the sermon, I can just go online and listen to the podcast. Back then… no such luck. I’m positive the congregation didn’t see this sermon coming. It caught them completely by surprise. To Luke, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” was his one take-away sentence. They didn’t have a podcast to go back and listen to after-the-fact.