Simplicity
17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to [Jesus]. 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 proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21)
What events in history were defining moments in your life? Some of you may still remember World War II, the Watts riots, and the assassinations that took place in the 1960’s. For me, a few of these events include the end of the Vietnam War, Watergate, the Promise Keepers movement, the “Why can’t we all just get along” Rodney King riots, 9/11/01 and the war that followed, COVID-19, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Regardless of what you think about Charlie Kirk, he was a cultural phenomenon. Yes, he was very combative as a debater when he was young, but my ear was turned as he got older. As he embraced Jesus as Lord and Savior and got married, he listened more to those who debated him and grew more patient and compassionate. He had a brilliant mind. Truth be told, I questioned some of his appropriation of what he was learning from Jesus. But he drew amazing crowds of college students – many of them looking for some kind of direction in life.
Here's the common ground for us to see: a major cultural movement was being led by a professing Christian. That cultural movement has gained ground because, as Brett McCracken of the Gospel Coalition stated, “Something is stirring among young people today who are deeply dissatisfied with the status quo. Social media is killing them, cancel culture terrifies them, ideological conformity on many college campuses is stifling, and shaping events like the COVID-19 pandemic now feel like one big deception that didn’t need to ruin their lives. Young people are hungry for a different, better way to live. For stable truth and time-tested tradition. They are primed for renewal.”1
Who they turned to was a man who listened to them. He answered their questions directly with facts that they could check, and he followed Jesus with joy and without apology. Thousands were awed by his example – and even more so now.
This generation is ready for renewal, and that makes this a special time in history. Jesus has shaped the way we live and has entrusted us with the answers this generation seeks. No, Jesus is not about “learning how to be a good person.” As the Gospel of Luke records, Jesus is about delivering Good News to a generation who knows they are poor and captive and blind. Jesus is about making the dead alive and giving sight to the blind and setting the prisoner free.
So now what?
Invite your kids, grandkids, neighbors and friends to church. It’s time to “Get to church” for everyone.
Encourage our kids to get into Confirmation, to the high school group and to the young adult group. Now is the time to ask hard questions and figure out what walking with Jesus is about.
See to your own enrichment. Do a Bible study. We have a number of opportunities. Pick one and go for it.
Pray for Pr. Kay, the Church Council and for myself, as we aim to follow the leading of God’s Spirit in this season in our culture.
Let us all Keep and Live the Faith.
