Membership - Presence

Just to Be Near You

Many of y’all know I’m a big baseball fan. I hear a lot that people like going to games but not so much watching them on TV. They are a little too boring. I’m a fan so I don’t mind catching a game on TV but those people are right, there is something to being at the park, at the game. The smells, the sights, the sounds, the atmosphere.

Luke 4:14–22 NRSV

14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 “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, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

vs. 16 —> Went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, as was his custom

—> The people were there to hear and learn and experience.

—> scripture was opened and taught in the presence of the people

vs. 18 —>

Luke 4:31–37 NRSV

31 He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. 32 They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. 36 They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, “What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!” 37 And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.

—> In these 2 passages we see three things

—> It was Jesus’ custom to go to the synagogue

—> The church is a place where the scripture is read and proclaimed, and it produces amazement

—> The church is a place of healing

—> Find ways to be present with God and with the community of believers that he has put beside you.

—> When you are present be expectant that God will be too.

—> When you are present don’t be afraid to let God go (proclaiming, teaching, healing, etc.)