Bulletin Insert: Epiphany Bible Study: Week 3 – January 26, 2025
During the season of Epiphany, The Episcopal Church’s Office of Global Partnerships is offering a weekly Bible study prepared by writers across the church and Anglican Communion. Each piece, consisting of the Sunday readings, can be studied alone, in small groups, or even with a congregation. You can find the whole study for each week at www.sermonsthatwork.org.
This week’s study for Epiphany 3 (C) was written by Lynnaia Main, The Episcopal Church’s representative to the United Nations.
Luke 4:14-21
14 Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding region. 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 set free those who are oppressed,
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.”
Commentary from Lynnaia Main
Luke writes of Jesus’ return to Galilee, after having been tempted by the devil in the wilderness. He is now filled with the power of the Spirit and about to begin his ministry in Galilee. Jesus begins to teach in the synagogues and word begins to spread about him through the surrounding country. When he arrives on the Sabbath day at the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth, which would have been his usual practice when he lived there, he stands up and reads from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” along with subsequent verses that seem to describe the ministry he is beginning. This might have appeared to the listeners in the synagogue to be simply a regular reading of the scriptures… until Jesus goes on to say, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
One might think that those who were listening to Jesus in the synagogue that day would have been incredulous about his seemingly self-important conclusions. On the contrary, although it is not included in the passage chosen for this commentary, the next verse reveals that his actions are, at first, well received: “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?’”
Discussion Questions
- Imagine yourself in the synagogue the day that Jesus read these scriptures aloud. What would have been your reaction to his declaring, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”? What would have convinced you that his seemingly outlandish statement should be taken seriously?
- As Christians, we believe that God calls each of us to ministry. Imagine that you, like Jesus, are called to read this Isaiah passage that begins with “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” What actions of ministry would you describe thereafter? What has God called you to do at this point in your life, or what is God calling you to do?
26 de enero de 2025 – Epifanía 3 (C)
Estudio bíblico de la Epifanía: Semana 3
Durante el tiempo de Epifanía, La Iglesia Episcopal ofrece un estudio bíblico semanal preparado por escritores de toda la Iglesia y la Comunión Anglicana. Cada pieza, compuesta por las lecturas dominicales, puede estudiarse en solitario, en pequeños grupos o incluso con una congregación. Puede encontrar el estudio completo de cada semana en www.sermonsthatwork.org.
El estudio de esta semana para la Epifanía 3 (C) fue escrito por Lynnaia Main, representante de La Iglesia Episcopal ante las Naciones Unidas.
Lucas 4:14-21
14 Jesús volvió a Galilea lleno del poder del Espíritu Santo, y se hablaba de él por toda la tierra de alrededor. 15 Enseñaba en la sinagoga de cada lugar, y todos le alababan.
16 Jesús fue a Nazaret, el pueblo donde se había criado. El sábado entró en la sinagoga, como era su costumbre, y se puso de pie para leer las Escrituras. 17 Le dieron a leer el libro del profeta Isaías, y al abrirlo encontró el lugar donde estaba escrito:
18 «El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí,
porque me ha consagrado
para llevar la buena noticia a los pobres;
me ha enviado a anunciar libertad a los presos
y dar vista a los ciegos;
a poner en libertad a los oprimidos;
19 a anunciar el año favorable del Señor.»
20 Luego Jesús cerró el libro, lo dio al ayudante de la sinagoga y se sentó. Todos los que estaban allí tenían la vista fija en él. 21 Él comenzó a hablar, diciendo:
—Hoy mismo se ha cumplido la Escritura que ustedes acaban de oír.
Comentario de Lynnaia Main
Lucas relata el regreso de Jesús a Galilea, después de haber sido tentado por el diablo en el desierto. Ahora está lleno del poder del Espíritu y a punto de comenzar su ministerio en Galilea. Jesús comienza a enseñar en las sinagogas y se corre la voz sobre él por toda la región. Cuando llega el sábado a la sinagoga de Nazaret, su ciudad natal, se levanta y lee a Isaías: «El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí…», junto con otros versículos que parecen describir el ministerio que comienza. A los oyentes de la sinagoga podría haberles parecido que se trataba simplemente de una lectura habitual de las Escrituras… hasta que Jesús irrumpe diciendo: «Hoy mismo se ha cumplido la Escritura que ustedes acaban de oír».
Se podría pensar que los que escuchaban a Jesús en la sinagoga aquel día se habrían mostrado incrédulos ante sus conclusiones aparentemente autoimportantes. Por el contrario, aunque no está incluido en el pasaje elegido para este comentario, el versículo siguiente revela que sus acciones son, al principio, bien recibidas: «Todos hablaban bien de Jesús y estaban admirados de las cosas tan bellas que decía. Se preguntaban: —¿No es éste el hijo de José?»
Preguntas de discusión
- Imagínate en la sinagoga el día que Jesús leyó estas escrituras en voz alta. ¿Cuál habría sido tu reacción al declarar: «Hoy mismo se ha cumplido la Escritura que ustedes acaban de oír»? ¿Qué te habría convencido de que su declaración, aparentemente extravagante, debía tomarse en serio?
- Como cristianos, creemos que Dios nos llama a cada uno de nosotros al ministerio. Imagina que tú, como Jesús, eres llamado a leer este pasaje de Isaías que comienza con «El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí». ¿Qué acciones de ministerio describirías a partir de entonces? ¿Qué te ha llamado Dios a hacer en este momento de tu vida, o qué te está llamando Dios a hacer?
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